BOC Minutes September 25 2010
September 25, 2012
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Jimmy B. Clayton Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear - ABSENT Sybil Tate, Assistant County Manager
B. Ray Jeffers Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Samuel R. Kennington
Frances P. Blalock
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in special
session on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Roxboro Police Department Training
Room for the purpose of joint session with the Roxboro City Council.
Person County Attendees:
Chairman Clayton, Commissioners Jeffers, Blalock and Kennington
County Manager, Heidi York
Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate
City of Roxboro Attendees:
Mayor Merilyn Newell, Mayor Pro-Tem William Davis, Council Members:
Henry Daniel, Sandy Stigall, Mark Phillips, and Byrd Blackwell
City Manager, Stephen Steese
City Clerk, Trevie Adams
Assistant City Manager, Tommy Warren
Chairman Clayton called the meeting to order. Vice Chairman Puryear was absent.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Blalock and
carried 4-0 to approve the agenda.
Mayor Newell recognized Representative Winkie Wilkins in the audience.
Representative Wilkins introduced Michael Woodard, current City of Durham Councilman and a
Senate candidate that would represent Person County.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Economic Development Partnership Agreement between the City and the County:
City Manager, Stephen Steese presented to the Board of Commissioners and City Council
an Economic Development Partnership between the City and the County for a joint economic
venture for 1) the county to hire an Economic Development Director to which the City of
Roxboro will appropriate $20,000 funding, and 2) the city to hire an Uptown Development
Director to which Person County will appropriate $20,000 funding. The overlapping purpose is
the partnership and coordination for economic development by and between the two positions.
Mr. Steese noted the Uptown Development Director would be housed at City Hall and
serving as the Roxboro Development Group (RDG) Director and the Main Street Director. The
RDG Board would set the guidelines and objectives for the Uptown Development Director as
well as participate in the evaluation process with the City and County Managers.
Mr. Wayne Ross, RDG Board Chair told the group the RDG Board is in full support of
the agreement which will enable RDG to have a full time Director.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Kennington,
and carried 4-0 to approve the Economic Partnership Agreement between Person County and the
City of Roxboro as presented.
City Council took action to approve the Economic Partnership Agreement between
Person County and the City of Roxboro as presented by unanimous vote.
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Update on the Potential Joint Business Park between Person and Durham Counties:
County Manager, Heidi York shared with City Council a report given to the Board of
Commissioners at its last meeting noting a Feasibility Study for a Person-Durham Multi-
Jurisdictional Business Park Development was completed by Sanford Holshouser. Ms. York
stated the study analyzed if a joint business park would be viable looking at current business
parks and infrastructure with the outcome being very positive for a shared park as well as
improved tier status.
Ms. York noted the next step in the process would be the site assessment study noting the
Board of Commissioners of both Durham and Person counties both agreed to move forward. Ms.
York told the group the Board of Commissioners will meet jointly with Durham County
following the site assessment study for further evaluation of the specific site.
Chairman Clayton noted his support of a potential joint business park with Durham
County noting coordination with the City Roxboro will play a major role for the supply of water.
COORDINATION OF SERVICES:
Planning/Zoning/Permitting/Inspections One Stop Shop:
County Manager, Heidi York updated the group on the ongoing commitment to creating a
more customer friendly one stop shop by combining the functions of Planning, Permitting and
Inspections. Ms. York noted the new City Planner, Aaron Holland, currently works with the
county staff in the same location. Ms. York further noted the three phases of the process:
1) the co-location of staff,
2) consideration for a joint city/county department, and
3) move forward with a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Ms. York presented a proposed City/County Development Services Department Org
Chart creating a Development Services Department for the city and county. The City and County
Managers propose a Development Services Director position that would coordinate all branches
of the permitting offices and become a public liaison providing an utmost customer service
experience. The Development Services Director position would be jointly funded by the city and
county. City Manager, Stephen Steese stated $10,000 has been appropriated in the City budget
for contracted services with the county for this future planning purpose.
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate explained the existing system directed citizens
from one point to another while the proposed system would allow for technicians/admin positions
to become experts for the process and resources thereby assisting in all requests for all permitting
processes.
Ms. Tate stated a pre-application meeting can be offered scheduling all permitting
applicable staff in an effort to make the process for major projects an opportunity for a seamless
permitting process as well as to provide feedback.
Ms. Tate pointed out the Development Services Director job description placed emphasis
on customer service and coordination of service. Mr. Steese added the task of creating a joint
UDO is a huge task and the Development Services Director would coordinate and oversee the
implementation of the UDO process.
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Ms. York confirmed the county has taken on the Minimum Housing responsibilities for
the city with shared costs.
Commissioner Jeffers stated concerns related to the addition of the Development Services
Director position. Ms. York stated the role of the position would be coordination of the processes
to proceed to a UDO for both the city and county noting the current workload for current staff
would not allow the process to begin the implementation of the UDO. Mayor Newell noted the
job description did not include enforcement.
Councilman Phillips suggested discussing the concept as presented to both governing
bodies to the Home Builders Association for feedback. Sam Hobgood, Inspections Director
commented he recently met with the Home Builders Association to address the permitting
process and the feedback was very positive related to the co-location of staff to one building.
Commissioner Kennington suggested the meeting times as presented not be firm with
more flexibility to accommodate schedules.
UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED RECREATION & SENIOR CENTER:
County Manager, Heidi York stated the Board of Commissioners at its last meeting was
presented the finalized feasibility study on the proposed Recreation and Senior Center along with
operating costs. Ms. York highlighted the overall floor plan that was placed at each seat noting
the Board of Commissioners approved with a 3/2 vote to proceed to the next phase which
includes the design and engineering for the project. The finalized project added space to the
senior center area, added a splash/therapy pool in addition to the six-lane swimming pool and an
enclosed walking track. Ms. York noted future phases may include an additional gym as well as
an athletic field complex located on county owned property at the Critcher-Wilkerson site. Ms.
York stated the estimated construction costs for the project is $4.2 million.
Arts, Parks & Recreation Director, John Hill noted the configuration could change in the
engineering process with further public meetings. Mr. Hill addressed questions and concerns
from the Mayor and City Council related to the planning, logistics and security of the proposed
facility on the Huck Sansbury site reassuring that program needs, safety and public input have
guided the feasibility study. Mr. Hill stated the senior center dedicated space/square footage is
comparable to their existing space with additional usable space available through the recreational
areas noting all space would be totally accessible.
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate projected $232,000 net of additional funding
would be required for operating costs for the proposed facility noting the estimation was based on
conservative planning using $30 per month for 200 memberships.
Mr. Hill concluded by noting the benefits to Person County and the City of Roxboro for
healthier opportunities for its citizens related to the proposed Recreation & Senior Center as well
as the economic development draw.
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CLOSED SESSION:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Blalock, and
carried 4-0 to enter Closed Session jointly with City Council pursuant to NC General Statute
143.318.11(a)(4) to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other
businesses in the county at 7:16 pm with the following individuals permitted to attend:
County Manager, Heidi York, Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate, Economic
Development Director, Stuart Gilbert and Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves
Roxboro City Council Closed Session attendees:
Mayor Merilyn Newell, Mayor Pro-Tem William Davis, Council Members:
Henry Daniel, Sandy Stigall, Mark Phillips, and Byrd Blackwell
City Manager, Stephen Steese
City Clerk, Trevie Adams
Assistant City Manager, Tommy Warren
Both governing bodies agreed to allow Wayne Ross, a member of the Economic
Development Board to be included in the Closed Session.
A brief break was taken. Closed Session was called to order at 7:22 pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Blalock, and
carried 4-0 to return to open session at 8:13 pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock, seconded by Commissioner Jeffers, and
carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Jimmy B. Clayton
Clerk to the Board Chairman