BOC Minutes November 21 2016approve
November 21, 2016
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 21, 2016
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
David Newell, Sr. Heidi York, County Manager
Tracey L. Kendrick 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
regular session on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 9:00am in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Newell called the meeting to order. Vice Chairman Kendrick gave an
invocation and Commissioner Jeffers led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Chairman Newell requested consideration for the addition of a Closed Session for
economic development.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear to add the Closed Session for
economic development to the agenda and carried 5-0 to approve the agenda as adjusted.
RECOGNITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DAY:
Chairman Newell welcomed the Person High School students enrolled in civics and
economics participating in Local Government Day to observe the Board of County
Commissioners in session. Chairman Newell, Vice Chairman Kendrick and
Commissioners Clayton, Jeffers and Puryear proceeded to introduce themselves and shared
general information about the office of a commissioner and general government. County
Manager, Heidi York and Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves also introduced themselves.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Mr. David Solomon of 340 Historic Village Road, Roxboro stated he resided in a
Hurdle Mills’ subdivision called Flat River Plantation. Mr. Solomon stated his concerns
related to a neighbor within the subdivision that has placed items, i.e. old AC units in the
roadway causing the roadway to be blocked providing hardship for residents, emergency
vehicles and service providers to travel in and out of the subdivision. Mr. Solomon noted
he had tried unsuccessfully to resolve his concerns with county departments. Mr. Solomon
further noted that some residents are afraid of confrontation with the particular neighbor
and he therefore asked for help from the Board. County Manager, Heidi York stated she
would follow up on Mr. Solomon’s complaint.
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Ms. Betty Blalock of 144 Tirzah Ridge, Rougemont provided an update to the
Board related to two more individuals in her community that have been diagnosed with
cancer. Ms. Blalock referred to a recent article in the local paper stating it was safe to drink
water from the wells located near the power plants but stated it was presented differently
in a larger periodical.
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 October 17, 2016,
B. Budget Amendment #10,
C. Tax Adjustments for November 2016,
D. Consideration of Approval of Late Exemption Applications, and
E. Resolution appointing Review Officers
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
WATER SAMPLE FEE REVIEW BY THE PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF
HEALTH AS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RELATED
TO EXTENSION OF THE HALF-MILE BOUNDARY FROM COAL ASH BASINS
AND LANDFILL:
Health Director, Janet Clayton stated the Board of Commissioners had tasked the
Person County Board of Health to review the Environmental Health water sample fees for
the possibility of a reduction of fees for certain portions of the county. Ms. Clayton noted
after consultation with both the county attorney and the North Carolina Division of Public
Health’s attorney, the Board of Health did not have the authority to reduce fees within a
portion of the county. After comparison with other benchmark counties, the Board of
Health decided to maintain the current water sample fee schedule.
Commissioner Clayton advocated for the ability for additional testing noting his
desire for the state of NC to review the areas within Person County near environmental
hazards further noting that for no other reason but to create a baseline of information for
the additional mile radius from the coal ash basins and the landfill.
Commissioner Jeffers proposed for Board discussion the idea to lower the water
sample fees by half the value of the fee during one specific month, i.e. January to assist the
citizens with the costs for such testing. Commissioner Jeffers said it could be understood
that the work may have to be completed the following month, if needed.
County Manager, Heidi York noted such action would have implications on the
budget through expenses and revenues as well as staff time. Ms. Clayton stated there was
$17,000 in revenue generated in water sample fees the last fiscal year.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and failed 2-3 to lower the water
sample fees county-wide for the month of January 2017. Commissioners Jeffers and
Clayton voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Newell, Vice Chairman Kendrick and
Commissioner Puryear voted against the motion.
NEW BUSINESS:
REQUEST BY THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR A RESOLUTION TO BE
ADOPTED FOR A SEPARATE AND INCLUSIVE INDEX OF THE HISTORICAL
RECORDS OF THE SLAVES OF PERSON COUNTY TO BE ADDED TO THE
INVENTORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS:
Person County’s Register of Deeds for the last 24 years, Amanda Garrett said that
when she made the decision not to seek re-election, she wanted to leave behind some
memento that would benefit Person County. As one of the final projects as Person
County’s registrar, Ms. Garrett wanted to find and document references to slave records in
older indexes. Ms. Garrett noted that in March of 2016, she envisioned having a concise
and detailed record of slave information for Person County from its birth until the
Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Ms. Garrett said that Buncombe County had
previously accomplished this fete, and thought, this would be a great benefit to the
genealogists searching their roots. Ms. Garrett said the Archives Division in Raleigh sent
out a request in April regarding the very information to which she was collecting.
Ms. Garrett stated that when she began going through the grantor and grantee
indexes from 1789 to 1863, she found that the older index records were somewhat
incomplete. So, in order to capture all references of the slaves of Person County, she went
back and read each document for any reference made to a slave noting that these old
documents had much more information than the older indexes.
On September 24, 2016 President Obama, according to the Washington Post, spoke
at the opening ceremony at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
He stated that the museum not only helps to “better understand the lives of the president,
but also the slaves.” In a speech filled with reminders of America’s dark and not-so-distant
past, President Obama helped to inaugurate the Museum in Washington.
Ms. Garrett requested permission to place a new book into the inventory of the
Office of the Register of Deeds not only for genealogical research, but as a reference
volume to be maintained for future generations. Ms. Garrett also asked that she be allowed
to share the digital index with the Archives in Raleigh to be placed in their statewide digital
library on American slavery housed at UNC Greensboro. Ms. Garrett presented a
Resolution for adoption to the Board.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to adopt the
following Resolution granting that the new index be made a part of the public records of
Person County.
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PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY AT 87 SEMORA ROAD FOR USE
AS A SENIOR CENTER:
The Board of Commissioners met in closed session on August 1, 2016 to discuss
the acquisition of the property located at 87 Semora Road to be used for the operation of a
senior center. The Board authorized the Chairman and Vice Chairman to extend a verbal
offer to purchase the property within certain price parameters. A verbal agreement was
reached with the property owners with the contingency that the appropriate zoning was
obtained through the City.
County Manager, Heidi York stated on October 27, 2016 the City’s Board of
Adjustment voted 6-0 to grant the Conditional Use Permit to the County for the use of this
property as a senior center.
Ms. York requested the Board to approve the amount of $2,050,000 to purchase the
property contingent on a clean title search and to authorize the Chairman to sign a purchase
agreement. Ms. York said the owners of the property has requested the closing to occur
prior to the end of the calendar year. Ms. York recommended to fund the acquisition from
the County’s Fund Balance with the intention to finance in the spring of 2017 at which
time reimbursement could be done.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
acquisition of 87 Semora Road for use as a senior center at a purchase price of $2,050,000
and to authorize the Chairman to execute the Purchase Agreement contingent upon a clean
title search.
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POLICY FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES:
Chairman Newell proposed discussion by the Board to have the County Attorney
prepare standard procedures for the County to contract for architectural services outlining
the steps of the scope so to place the responsibility and liability on the architect to minimize
the loss of taxpayer dollars and wasteful spending of county funds. Chairman Newell
opined that the County had been misrepresented in the past giving examples of funding
expensed prior to receiving the permit or knowing the condition of the soil for new
construction.
County Manager, Heidi York stated the structure was set by the Board with the last
architecture firm for authorization by the Board prior to performing the work to go forward.
It was the consensus of the Board to have the County Attorney bring back to the
Board in early 2017 a policy with guidelines for contracting for architectural services for
consideration.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
GRANT:
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate stated in September, Freedom House hosted
a Substance Abuse Summit to discuss the county’s substance abuse issues and generate
ideas for addressing them. As a result, Ms. Tate noted that Person County was applying for
a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to improve substance
abuse treatment in the county’s jail, hospital and court system.
Ms. Tate said the grant would fund two new positions in the jail to provide
treatment for inmates, a new position in the Department of Social Services to provide
family counseling, expand the part-time Drug Court counselor to full-time, and outfit a
“safe room” at Person County Memorial Hospital. The grant can last up to three years and
fund up to $325,000 per year. Ms. Tate confirmed there was no county match required.
Ms. Tate requested approval for staff to continue the application process that was
due to be submitted on December 12, 2016.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve the
application for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant as
presented.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Newell had no report.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York reported the need for an additional meeting for the
Board of Commissioners after the December 5, 2016 meeting to hear presentations from
the top three insurance brokers as selected by the review committee. Ms. York stated she
would email the commissioners to poll dates and times.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Kendrick reported the following:
Volunteers are needed at the Senior Center,
Becky Schneider, Reference Librarian at the Person County Public Library
has been sending out emails for many opportunities to attend programs and
events, and the Library offers check out services for Wi-Fi and teacher book
kits.
Commissioner Jeffers commended county employees for their work with the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant. He also noted that
Person County has over 90 children in foster care with direct or indirect relation to drug
abuse situations.
Commissioner Clayton reminded citizens and businesses of the small business loan
program offered through Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments for a low interest
loan.
Commissioner Puryear had no report.
Chairman Newell stated a brief recess at 10:09am at which time the Board would
reconvene in the Board room 215 for the scheduled Closed Sessions.
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CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to enter into
Closed Session 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 at 10:21am with the
following individuals permitted to attend: County Attorney, Ron Aycock, County
Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves, Planning Director, Mike Ciriello
and Economic Development Director, Stuart Gilbert.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:51am.
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CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to enter into
Closed Session 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) at 10:51am with the following individuals permitted to attend:
County Attorney, Ron Aycock, County Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda
Reaves, and Economic Development Director, Stuart Gilbert.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:58am.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 10:58am.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves David Newell, Sr.
Clerk to the Board Chairman