BOC Minutes January 4 2016
January 4, 2016
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 4, 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
special session on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building. The purpose of the meeting was to enter
Closed Session for the purpose of considering appointment of individuals through an
informal interview process with applicants of competitive committee, boards, and
commissions per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) as well as take action for appointment
to such boards and committees.
Chairman Newell called the special called meeting to order.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter Closed
Session at 6:30pm for the purpose of considering appointment of individuals through an
informal interview process with applicants of boards and committees per General Statutes
143-318.11(a)(6).
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 6:55pm.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to enter Closed
Session at 6:56pm for the purpose of considering appointment of individuals through an
informal interview process with applicants of boards and committees per General Statutes
143-318.11(a)(6).
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 7:01pm.
January 4, 2016
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The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, January 4, 2016 in the Commissioners’ meeting room in the
Person County Office Building.
Chairman Newell called the meeting to order at 7:04pm. Vice Chairman Kendrick
gave an invocation and Commissioner Jeffers led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to add an item to
the agenda for an appointment to the Tourism Development Authority and to approve the
agenda as adjusted.
PUBLIC HEARING
CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST
OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY AND SCHOOL FACILITIES
AND WHETHER TO ACQUIRE CERTAIN PROPERTY AND MAKING OF
RELATED DETERMINATIONS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to open the
duly advertised public hearing for consideration of whether to finance a portion of the cost
of certain improvements to county and school facilities and whether to acquire certain
property and making of related determinations. The notice of this public hearing was
published in The Courier-Times not less than 10 days before the date of this public hearing.
Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg announced that the purpose of the public
hearing was for Board consideration of (a) whether the Board of Commissioners for the
County (the “Board of Commissioners”) should approve a proposed installment financing
agreement and certain related documents pursuant to G.S. §160A-20, as amended, for the
purpose of providing funds in an amount not to exceed $1,884,000, with other available
funds, for the construction and other accomplishment of the project hereinafter described
(the “Project”) and (b) whether in connection with such proposed agreement the County
should acquire from the Person County Board of Education (the “Board of Education”) an
interest in the real and personal property included in the North End Elementary School
Project hereinafter described, including specifically the site of North End Elementary
School and the improvements thereon, for use by the Person County Schools. The County
would secure the repayment by it of moneys advanced pursuant to such proposed
agreement by granting a security interest in a portion of the Project and certain related
property.
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Ms. Wehrenberg stated the Project consisted of (a) acquiring and improving land
and related facilities known as the Roxplex Property for use as recreational facilities of the
County, (b) repairing or replacing the roof on a building that is a part of the Huck Sansbury
Recreation Complex of the County, (c) repairing and replacing the roofs on South
Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School and Oak Lane Elementary School, (d)
replacing the windows at North End Elementary School (the “North End Elementary
School Project”) and (e) replacing the chiller equipment at Southern Middle School.
Ms. Wehrenberg described the current plan of the County to finance a portion of
the cost of the Project and explained that such plan included the sale by the Board of
Education to the County of an interest in the real and personal property included in the
North End Elementary School Project, including specifically the site of North End
Elementary School and the improvements thereon, for use by the Person County Schools.
Ms. Wehrenberg presented and described a proposal to finance a portion of the cost
of the Project that the County had received from Branch Banking and Trust Company (the
“Bank”) in response to the County’s request for such a proposal (the “RFP”), which RFP
it had sent to a number of financial institutions and also was presented by the Finance
Director of the County. Such proposal (the “Proposal”) appeared to be the most appropriate
of the proposals received by the County to meet its needs under existing circumstances
and, together with the RFP, constitutes the proposed agreement that was the subject of the
public hearing.
Ms. Wehrenberg referenced the bid sheet that was included in the Board’s agenda
packet that summarizes the bids noting there were many variables on which to base the
comparison; the primary factor was the offered interest rate and legal fees.
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The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners then announced that the Board of
Commissioners would immediately hear anyone who might wish to be heard on such
matters.
No one appeared, either in person or by attorney, to be heard on such matters and
the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners noted that no written statement relating to such
matters had been received.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Kendrick and carried 5-0 to close the
public hearing for consideration of whether to finance a portion of the cost of certain
improvements to county and school facilities and whether to acquire certain property and
making of related determinations.
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CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST
OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY AND SCHOOL FACILITIES
AND WHETHER TO ACQUIRE CERTAIN PROPERTY AND MAKING OF
RELATED DETERMINATIONS:
Commissioner Puryear respectively requested Board permission to recuse himself
from the vote for Board action related to consideration of whether to finance a portion of
the cost of certain improvements to county and school facilities and whether to acquire
certain property and making of related determinations and the approval of the lender for
such financing due to the recommended lender being his employer.
A motion was made by Chairman Newell and carried 4-0 to recuse Commissioner
Puryear from the vote for Board action related for consideration of whether to finance a
portion of the cost of certain improvements to county and school facilities and whether to
acquire certain property and making of related determinations and the approval of the
lender for such financing.
Chairman Newell requested consideration for a motion to (a) to proceed with the
proposed financing of a portion of the cost of the Project and approve on a preliminary
basis the Proposal to finance a portion of the cost of the Project in an amount not to exceed
$1,884,000 substantially as presented, (b) to authorize the Chairman of the Board of
Commissioners and the County Manager and the Finance Director of the County to
negotiate further with the approved lender the terms of the Proposal as they consider to be
necessary or advisable and (c) to acquire from the Board of Education an interest in the
real and personal property included in the North End Elementary School Project, including
specifically the site of North End Elementary School and the improvements thereon, for
use by the Person County Schools.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton and carried 4-0 to (a) to proceed
with the proposed financing of a portion of the cost of the Project and approve on a
preliminary basis the Proposal to finance a portion of the cost of the Project in an amount
not to exceed $1,884,000 substantially as presented, (b) to authorize the Chairman of the
Board of Commissioners and the County Manager and the Finance Director of the County
to negotiate further with the approved lender the terms of the Proposal as they consider to
be necessary or advisable and (c) to acquire from the Board of Education an interest in the
real and personal property included in the North End Elementary School Project, including
specifically the site of North End Elementary School and the improvements thereon, for
use by the Person County Schools.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individual appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Ms. Betty Blalock of 144 Tirzah Ridge, Rougemont advocated for the care of the
citizens related to the environmental impacts of the current landfill.
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 December 7, 2015,
B. Budget Amendment #13,
C. Rural Design Challenge Grant, and
D. Cooperative Extension Grant Applications
NEW BUSINESS:
ANALYSIS OF TWO WASTE OPTIONS – EXPAND LANDFILL VS.
TRANSPORT TO GRANVILLE COUNTY:
Former Commissioner Frances Blalock and ex-officio member of the
Environmental Issues Advisory Committee provided an analysis of the following two
waste options: 1) the effects of expanding the landfill and 2) transport Person County’s
waste to Granville County. The analysis presented by Ms. Blalock were focused mostly
on human and environmental impacts.
Ms. Blalock stated the consequences of renewing the contract with Republic would
include increased environmental and human impacts. Ms. Blalock noted if another 30-year
franchise was given to Republic, the Board would be signing a death warrant to the Mt.
Tirzah community. Ms. Blalock told the group that if the Board moved to expand the
landfill, she would encourage people living near the landfill to request the County to
perform baseline water testing within a one-mile radius of the landfill. She said any
remediation, retesting or treatment of wells that might be needed should be covered by
funds the County gets from the landfill operation.
Ms. Blalock noted she helped bring a recycling center to Person County and that
the County had not educated citizens to the fact that a 90% waste reduction was possible
through recycling; the County remains at a 5% reduction level of its waste in recycling.
Ms. Blalock urged the Board to take a stand on the issue of recycling.
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Ms. Blalock stated that if the County closes the current landfill and transports its
waste to Granville County, the negatives of keeping the landfill open would go away;
traffic will be reduced, air pollutants will be gone; no more obnoxious odors, vultures or
wild animals. Ms. Blalock felt that new convenience centers would not be required with
just a drop-off center run by a local carrier or by the County. Regarding the City of
Roxboro not having or initiating a recycling program, Ms. Blalock suggested that local
carriers be allowed to recycle within the City of Roxboro for those businesses or
individuals that desire to recycle.
Ms. Blalock stated the reports submitted to the County by Smith&Gardner reeked
of bias from landfill proponents with no mention of recycling to meet the state goal of 40%,
yet they included fees that look like a tax. Ms. Blalock noted Smith&Gardner’s report
showed expenses without any revenues assuming everything will remain the same to which
she rebutted.
Ms. Blalock explained that the renewal of the contract with Republic did not fit in
with some of the goals of the County's Futures Strategic Plan. Ms. Blalock reminded the
Board of strategic plan goals to maintain aesthetic quality of the County, promote
environmentally, responsible development, and to protect and improve Person County's
air, land and water. Ms. Blalock said that because more than 100 citizens wrote the
Strategic Plan and they placed value on making sure our land, water and air are not polluted
and/or contaminated, the recommendation she presented was to close the landfill and to
take the County’s garbage to Granville County.
Vice Chairman Kendrick inquired about continuing to take waste at the current
landfill but use some or all of the tipping fees to put in a separator that would separate
recyclables from trash. Ms. Blalock responded there was many ways to look at it and she
asked the Board to take ownership on how to handle the waste of Person County. Ms.
Blalock said that a future landfill should only take care of the trash from Person County.
UPTOWN DEVELOPMENT REPORT:
Uptown Development Director, Lauren Wrenn gave the Board of Commissioners
a special year-end report to recap the major accomplishments in the Uptown district during
the 2015 year. In addition to the local achievements and improvements, the report
highlighted accolades from the North Carolina Main Street Center and National Main
Street Center.
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Special Year-End Report from the
Office of the Uptown Development Director
The year 2015 marked an especially productive and exciting year for Uptown Roxboro.
From numerous private development projects, to national acknowledgement of local
achievements, the Main Street district certainly saw great changes throughout the year.
The following are some highlights of this year’s notable accomplishments for Uptown
Roxboro.
• Over $900,000 in public and private investments to Uptown projects
• 8 new businesses opened, creating an estimated 10 new jobs
• 6 storefronts underwent total façade redevelopments
• Selected as North Carolina’s representing Main Street community for the 2016
publication of “Main Streets Across America” presented by National Life Group
In addition to the major accomplishments of the Uptown district, the Roxboro Development
Group also saw tremendous growth and success in 2015. The following are highlights of
Roxboro Development Group successes over the calendar year.
• Achieved National Main Street Accreditation for Uptown Roxboro. This is the first
time in the organization’s 20+ year history this was accomplished
• Logged over 1,000 hours of volunteer service hours from community members
• Brought over $40,000 worth of sales to Uptown businesses during various
promotional events
• Held one of Uptown’s most successful events, the Rox N Roll Cruise-In, which
attracted more than 400 different vehicles from all across NC and VA
• Partnered with the City of Roxboro, Person County, and Hall’s Agribusiness to
launch the beginning of a remarkable Uptown redevelopment project at the Abbitt
Street Alleyway
Uptown Roxboro is once again a bustling site for development and growth, which is
indicative of the transformations yet to come. We are so very excited about all of the
wonderful things that have taken place over the past year, and cannot wait to see even
more progress in 2016.
I share all of this information with you, not to boast, but to impress upon you the
importance of Uptown Revitalization in all economic development efforts. In an April 2015
press release, the NC Department of Commerce touted more than $2.2 billion dollars in
public and private community investment through the efforts of Main Street programs since
1980, and the creation of more than 1,011 new jobs for the state in a single year. This
information, coupled with the highlights above, show just a glimpse of the many ways Main
Street Revitalization is important to the overall success of a community. The Roxboro
Development Group is honored to serve this wonderful town. We truly believe this is a
special place to visit, or call home, and appreciate the efforts of our many partners and
volunteers in making these changes possible.
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Ms. Wrenn told the group that Roxboro Development Group assisted the City of
Roxboro, along with others, with the Uptown decorations. When asked by Commissioner
Jeffers about any issues known with parking around the courthouse, Ms. Wrenn stated she
was unaware of any particular issues with county vehicles noting that the City of Roxboro
has created a parking committee.
RECYCLING DISPOSAL FEE FOR TVS AND COMPUTER MONITORS
CONTAINING CATHODE RAY TUBE GLASS:
Person Industries Assistant Director, Amanda Everett stated her request was for a
recycling disposal fee in the amount of $16 to be added to the FY15-16 Fee Schedule for
any TVs and computer monitors containing cathode ray tube (CRT) glass when dropped at
the Person County Recycling Center (PCRC). PCRC proposes charging residents $16 for
each TV/glass computer monitor that is dropped off.
Ms. Everett stated that in 2010, North Carolina legislators banned television and
computer equipment from landfills. Since then, the state has provided local governments
with funding to offset the cost of disposing of CRT glass and provided state approved
contractors to collect the waste. In 2015, Ms. Everett noted Person County received
$3,019.64 from the state to offset the cost of disposing of television and computer
equipment. Under the state contract, the state approved contractors collected TV’s for free
and glass monitors at the state contract rate. However, since April 2015 all of the state
approved contractors have withdrawn or been removed from the contract. Ms. Everett
further noted the private market is currently charging .15-.25 cents per pound and the new
state contract may be even higher than the current market rate. Thus, the funds from the
state will no longer cover the cost of collection. Ms. Everett estimated an additional $7,000
to $8,000 will be needed to dispose of these items for the remainder of the fiscal year.
County Manager, Heidi York stated the goal was for PCRC to operate on a break
even and to be self-supporting thereby the request for the proposed fee.
The Board discussed options related to the disposal of the TVs and computer
monitors and the effects of dumping such items in undesignated areas. Ms. Everett
indicated that the PCRC would install cameras and work in coordination with the Roxboro
Police Department to deter illegal dumping of such items at the recycling center.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to cover the
additional costs of disposing TVs and computer monitors using funds from undesignated
contingency for the remainder of the fiscal year. Commissioner Jeffers asked the County
Manager to report back to the Board the exact amount to be appropriated from Contingency
to Person County Recycling Center.
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APPOINTMENT TO RESEARCH TRIANGLE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP:
Economic Development Commission Chairman, Kenneth Perry advised that Mr.
Randy Reynolds submitted his resignation on December 16, 2015 as one of the Person
County, NC three representatives on the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP)
Board of Directors and RTRP’s executive committee member effective upon the
appointment of his replacement because he is no longer actively involved in Person County
economic development.
Mr. Perry told the Board of Commissioners that the Person County Economic
Development Commission recommended unanimously at their December 17, 2015
meeting that the Person County Board of Commissioners nominate and appoint Chairman,
David Newell to fulfill the unexpired term to June 30, 2016 for both the RTRP Board of
Directors and for the RTRP executive committee on behalf of Person County.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 4-1 to appoint Chairman
Newell as Person County’s representative to fulfill Randy Reynolds’ unexpired term to
June 30, 2016 for both the RTRP board of directors and the executive committee.
Chairman Newell cast the lone dissenting vote.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REQUEST FOR A
COMPOSITION TITLE CHANGE:
Economic Development Commission Chairman, Kenneth Perry stated the
Economic Development Commission (EDC) heard from Piedmont Community College
President, Dr. Bartlett stating that that the position of Dean of Corporate and Occupational
Training was no longer a funded position and the ex-officio member of the EDC that was
previously reserved for PCC’s Dean of Corporate & Occupational Training was requested
to be served by the PCC representative of workforce training.
Mr. Perry said the Person County Economic Development Commission
recommended unanimously at their December 17, 2015 meeting that the Person County
Board of Commissioners modify the EDC Composition by changing the title of the
following ex-officio member from:
“Piedmont Community College’s Dean of Corporate and Occupational Training” to
“Piedmont Community College’s representative of workforce training”.
County Attorney, Ron Aycock recommended the Board amend its Resolution
governing the structure of Economic Development Commission to formalize and ratify any
action taken by the Board.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to adopt a
Resolution Amending the Economic Development Commission for a composition title
change for the ex-officio, non-voting representative of Piedmont Community College.
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APPOINTMENT TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:
Chairman Newell requested Board nomination for the pending appointing to the
Tourism Development Authority. The three applicants eligible for appointment to the
available position for a 3-year term were:
1) Blossom Gardner
2) Saundra Clemmons
3) Tommy Winstead
Commissioner Clayton nominated Blossom Gardner to be appointed.
Commissioner Puryear nominated Tommy Winstead to be appointed.
Chairman Newell asked for a vote by show of hands.
Commissioners Clayton and Jeffers voted by show of hands for Blossom Gardner.
Chairman Newell, Vice Chairman Kendrick and Commissioner Puryear voted by show of
hands for Tommy Winstead.
By acclamation, Tommy Winstead was reappointed to the Tourism Development
Authority for a 3-year term.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
Chairman Newell announced the following 2016 Committee Assignments for the
Board of Commissioners:
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2016
Person County Board of Commissioners
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Chairman David Newell, Sr.
Airport Commission
Board of Equalization and Review
Economic Development Commission
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Region K Workforce Development Board
Research Triangle Regional Partnership
Vice Chairman Tracey L. Kendrick
Animal Control Advisory Committee
Health Board
Library Board
Person Area Transportation System Board
Person County Senior Center Advisory Council
Commissioner Jimmy B. Clayton
COG Board
Kerr Tar RPO - TAC
NCACC District Director
OPC Community Operations Board
Upper Neuse River Basin Association
Commissioner Kyle W. Puryear
Board of Equalization and Review Alternate
E-911 Committee
High Speed Internet Committee
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Commissioner B. Ray Jeffers
Board of Equalization and Review Alternate
Extension Advisory Committee
Environmental Issues Advisory Committee
Fire Chief’s Association
Home Health & Hospice Advisory Committee
Home & Community Care Block Grant Adv. Committee
NACo Board of Director
Person County Partnership for Children
Recreation Advisory Board
Social Services Board
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Newell had no report.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York reported that the Granville County Board of
Commissioners were addressing Person County’s request to consider accepting solid waste
from Person County and the Granville County Manager had let her know that their Board
had decided the request warranted further discussion and thereby referred it to their Solid
Waste Committee. Ms. York said that the Granville County Manager and she would be
holding a conference call meeting on January 5, 2016 and she would update the Board on
any new developments.
Ms. York noted the Airport Commission would be meeting on January 7, 2015.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Jeffers told the other Board members that Mr. Browning requested
to hear from each commissioner related to his email.
Commissioner Clayton commented a possible discussion item with Granville
County may be setting up a transfer station to separate recycling from the waste.
Commissioner Clayton stated the recycling could be delivered to Person County Recycling
Center and the waste only would be transported to Granville County should they choose to
accept waste from Person County.
Commissioner Puryear had no report.
Vice Chairman Kendrick had no report.
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ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 8:04pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves David Newell, Sr.
Clerk to the Board Chairman