BOC Minutes August 4 2014
August 4, 2014
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 4, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Jimmy B. Clayton Sybil Tate, Assistant County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
B. Ray Jeffers Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Frances P. Blalock
David Newell, Sr.
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
special session on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 6:00 pm in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building for the purpose of holding informal
interviews with applicants for the following:
A. ABC Board
B. Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees
C. Board of Health
D. Person-Caswell Lake Authority
Chairman Clayton called the special meeting to order.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 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 Statutes 143-318.11(a)(6) at 6:01 pm with the following individuals permitted to
attend: Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves and Summer Intern, Maia Lanley.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 6:50 pm.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 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 Statutes 143-318.11(a)(6) at 6:51 pm with the following individuals permitted to
attend: Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves and Summer Intern, Maia Lanley.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 7:01 pm.
Chairman Clayton opened the floor for the Board to make nominations for
appointment to the following:
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ABC Board
3-Year Term: 1 position available
1) R.D. “Danny” Bumpass, Jr. requested appointment
2) Barnabas Jay requested appointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Newell and carried to appoint R.D.
“Danny” Bumpass, Jr. to the ABC Board for a 3-year term.
Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees
4-Year Term; 1 position available
1) Maggie Whitt requested reappointment
2) Barnabas Jay requested appointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock and carried 5-0 to reappoint
Maggie Whitt to the Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees for a 4-year term.
Board of Health
3-Year Term: 1 position for general public
1) Gracie Napier requested appointment
2) Leon Martin requested reappointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Newell and carried 5-0 to reappoint Leon
Martin to the Board of Health representing the general public for a 3-year term.
Person-Caswell Lake Authority
3-Year Term: 1 position available
1) Whit Wyant requested appointment
2) William C. Bullock requested reappointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Newell and carried 5-0 to reappoint
William C. Bullock to the Person-Caswell Lake Authority for a 3-year term.
Chairman Clayton proceeded to call the regular scheduled meeting to order, led
invocation and asked Vice Chairman Jeffers to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
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RECOGNITION - RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION:
Chairman Clayton read and presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Person
County retiree, Helen Hackler.
Ms. Hackler expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Person
County. Board members along with Health Director, Janet Clayton thanked her for her
invaluable service.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Karl and Elizabeth Allen of 751 Hugh Woods Road, Roxboro, communicated
with the Board through written words read by the Clerk to the Board of their experiences
of job discrimination in Person County due to the fact they are both deaf. Assistant
County Manager, Sybil Tate, who had met with the couple and advised them that state
and federal agencies may be able to assist them with employment told the Board she
would follow up with the Allens following the meeting. Board members provided web
sites and telephone numbers to the Allens in an effort to expedite them to the correct
services.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Substantial Rehabilitation Request (CDBG Scattered Site Project)
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NEW BUSINESS:
PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION – FINANCING OF PERSON COUNTY
RECYCLING CENTER AND VARIOUS ROOFING IMPROVEMENTS:
Chairman Clayton introduced a preliminary resolution titled “Resolution Making
Certain Determinations Concerning a Proposed Installment Financing Agreement to
Finance a Portion of the Cost of Various Projects and Providing for Certain Related
Matters” and asked the Finance Director to summarize the content.
Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg stated that the preliminary resolution was
related to the financing of Person County Recycling Center and Various Roofing
Improvements.
Ms. Wehrenberg requested Board approval on a Resolution Making Certain
Determinations Concerning a Proposed Installment Financing Agreement to Finance a
Portion of the Cost of Various Projects and Providing for Certain Related Matters.
Ms. Wehrenberg stated that the Resolution is set forth by sections in the following
manner:
Preamble
The plan to finance the Project with the conveyance of Earl Bradsher Pre-
School to the County as collateral, and
1. Sets forth certain findings and determinations regarding the proposed
financing that it is necessary and expedient to provide funding by debt; that
this particular type of financing is preferable; the amount of the proceeds of
the proposed debt is sufficient; the County’s debt policies are in good order;
an increase in taxes to fund repayment of the debt is not anticipated; and that
the County is not in default on any of its debt; and
2. Designates and authorizes certain County officials to represent the County in
filing an application with and requesting approval from the Local Government
Commission (LGC) for the proposed financing agreement; and
3. Requests that the LGC approve the proposed financing agreement; and
4. Designates the special counsel to represent the County’s interests; and
5. The resolution is effective upon its passage by the Board.
Ms. Wehrenberg also provided the Board with a financing calendar related to the
timeline of the project noting the meeting dates and action required by the Board. Vice
Chairman Jeffers requested that the required public hearing be scheduled at one of the
Board’s evening meetings to accommodate public comments. Ms. Wehrenberg stated
that she would consult with the bond attorney about the possibility to change the date of
the public hearing to an evening Board meeting date.
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock and carried 4-1 to approve a
Resolution Making Certain Determinations Concerning a Proposed Installment
Financing Agreement to Finance a Portion of the Cost of Various Projects and Providing
for Certain Related Matters. Commissioner Newell cast the lone dissenting vote.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Clayton had no report.
ASSISTANT MANAGER’S REPORT:
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate reported the following:
• The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2014 at 9:00 am; and
• The Planning Department will host an open house on August 13, 2014 at 3:00 pm;
and
• Announced the NC Association of County Commissioners legislative goals
process and asked the Board to send any such goals to her noting the submission
deadline is September 19, 2014. Vice Chairman Jeffers added he would let the
Board of Education know as well.
Ms. Tate asked General Services Director, Ray Foushee to provide the Board with
a brief update related to the GMH Electronics site.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Newell commented of his experience of going through the budget
situation this year and knowing what the county will be facing next year, and made a
motion to implement a county hiring freeze for Board consideration. Commissioner
Newell added to his motion that Board approval should be sought for any new hires.
Chairman Clayton and County Attorney, Ron Aycock agreed the motion on floor was out
of order due the Board’s Rules of Procedure because the item was not added during the
agenda adjustment opportunity at the beginning of the meeting. Chairman Clayton
suggested Commissioner Newell add this item to the Board’s upcoming meeting agenda,
to which he agreed.
Commissioner Blalock reported the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee
held its first meeting on August 2, 2014 and accomplished setting its meeting schedule,
elected officers and bylaws. Commissioner Blalock asked about the National Health
Center event. Health Director, Janet Clayton stated it is celebrated by the Person Family
Medical Center scheduled on August 14, 2014 at noon in Piedmont Community College
S-100 room.
Commissioner Puryear had no report.
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Vice Chairman Jeffers commented on the state budget as follows:
• Kept the $500,000 net Medicaid relief swap benefits to counties; Person County is
not one of the 21 counties affected; and
• Includes all state misdemeanants, including DWI offenders, would be housed in
county jails through the voluntary Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Fund
program which was created in 2011 in an effort to save $2.8M as a part of the
Justice Reinvestment Act which increased court fees in order to establish a fund
managed by the NC Sheriffs’ Association to reimburse counties that voluntarily
agree to accept state prisoners within available jail bed capacity. Vice Chairman
Jeffers added counties will be held harmless and have the ability to negotiate that
rate with the NC Sheriff’s Association.
• Medicaid reform would be put on hold until the General Assembly reconvenes
November 17, 2014; and
• Kept teachers’ assistants (TA) largely intact, although the TA allotment is reduced
to reflect actual local spending practices.
General Services Director, Ray Foushee updated the Board on the US
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed plan for the GMH Electronics site
located in Roxboro. Mr. Foushee reminded the Board that in 2010 an interim remedy
(Phase I) provided immediate relief for an alternative water supply to prevent exposure of
contaminated groundwater to 49 families that were found to have contaminated wells.
Mr. Foushee further noted the County facilitated the water line project for the City of
Roxboro during Phase I. Phase II, according to Mr. Foushee, is currently underway with
a public hearing held on July 31, 2014 with comments accepted through the month of
August. Mr. Foushee stated phase II addresses remediation of the source materials and
treatment of groundwater with the design phase scheduled to begin October 2014 and
continue for two years. Remediation of the contaminated areas is planned for 2016. The
GMH Electronics site is referred to as a Superfund site and the preferred method of
clean-up is estimated to cost $4.9M, funded by federal and state sources.
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Vice Chairman Jeffers asked Mr. Foushee to explain the work in progress on the
hill at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) facing the boulevard. Mr. Foushee stated the
project on the hill at the LEC is driven by safety noting in years predating his tenure the
county has had several mowers and personnel lose traction on the hill and end up in the
boulevard and the safety team has urged management to take some type of action to
prevent such accidents. Mr. Foushee told the group the project was put out to bid and
Rolling Hills Garden Center provided the lowest bid ($15,500) to design beds of shrubs
surrounded by weeping love grass. This type of grass will grow 12-16 inches and tilt
over and requires little to no maintenance. The issue at hand, Mr. Foushee noted is that
some inferior grass is growing causing the area to look poorly now. Mr. Foushee assured
the Board that Rolling Hills is still working with the project and expects the first frost
will kill the inferior grass and let the weeping love grass take control and push out any
further growth of inferior grass and look better.
CLOSED SESSION #3:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jeffers and carried 5-0 to enter Closed
Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(5) to consider the acquisition or lease of real
property at 7:53 pm with the following individuals permitted to attend: Clerk to the
Board, Brenda Reaves, County Attorney, Ron Aycock, Assistant County Manager, Sybil
Tate, Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg, Recreation Director, John Hill, General
Services Director, Ray Foushee and Summer Intern, Maia Lanley.
A motion was made by Commissioner Newell, and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 8:16 pm.
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ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock, and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 8:16 pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Jimmy B. Clayton
Clerk to the Board Chairman