April 4
April 4, 2011 1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 4, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Jimmy B. Clayton Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney 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 recessed session on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Clayton called the meeting to order. Commissioner Jeffers arrived at
6:05 p.m. and Vice Chairman Puryear was absent until 6:24 p.m. INFORMAL INTERVIEW PROCESS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock, seconded by Commissioner
Kennington, and carried 3-0 to enter Closed Session at 6:01 p.m. 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).
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear, seconded by Commissioner Jeffers, and carried 5-0 to return to open session at 6:51 p.m.
Chairman Clayton announced the Board would be recessed until 7:00 p.m. for the
regular scheduled Board meeting
Chairman Clayton called the regular scheduled meeting to order, led invocation
and asked Commissioner Kennington to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The Board agreed to the agenda with the following changes:
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock, seconded by Commissioner Kennington and carried 5-0 to defer item #6 – Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Appointment until the next Board meeting.
April 4, 2011 2
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Kennington and carried 5-0 to add an item to the agenda for a request by the Person
County Tourism Development Authority to use the county-owned building located at 217
N. Main Street for an office.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individual appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Ms. Betty Blalock of 144 Tirzah Ridge, Rougemont thanked the Board for their
hard work, research and review of issues before them and requested they consider the
health of the citizens when making such decisions. Ms. Blalock asked county officials to
negotiate for citizen opportunity to purchase from industry-related business, i.e. Carolina
Solar Energy.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Vice Chairman
Puryear, and carried 5-0 to approve the minutes of March 14, 2011, March 21, 2011 and March 28, 2011.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Blalock, seconded by Vice Chairman Puryear, and carried 5-0 to approve the Administrative Report for the Airport.
PERSON COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN 2009-2010 ANNUAL
REPORT, PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 10-16, 2011 AS THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD AND RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RECURRENT FUNDING FOR SMART START AND MORE AT FOUR PROGRAMS: Chairman Clayton introduced Judy Batten, Executive Director of the Person
County Partnership for Children. Ms. Batten updated the Board on the services and
programs provided to the community. Ms. Batten presented the Board with the 2009-2010 Annual Report as well as requested the Board to consider adoption of a
Proclamation declaring the week of April 10-16, 2011 as the Week of the Young Child in
Person County and a Resolution in Support of Recurrent Funding for Smart Start and
More at Four Programs. Ms. Batten introduced Jackson Elliott, President of the
Partnership Board as well as other members and staff attending: Cindy Hicks, Judy Akers, Ronnie Bugnar, Maynell Harper. Commissioner Jeffers recognized Becky Oliver
also attending.
April 4, 2011 3
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Vice Chairman
Puryear, and carried 5-0 to adopt the Proclamation declaring April 10-16, 2011 as The
Week of the Young Child.
April 4, 2011 4
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Vice Chairman
Puryear, and carried 5-0 to adopt a Resolution in Support of Recurrent Funding for
Smart Start and More at Four Programs. Ms. Batten will share the Resolution adopted by
the Board with elected officials in Raleigh.
April 4, 2011 5
RESOLUTION OPPOSING LIFTING THE BAN ON URANIUM MINING IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA THAT POSES AN
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT TO THE ROANOKE RIVER BASIN AND TO
THE CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA LIVING IN THE BASIN: Chairman Clayton introduced a Resolution Opposing Lifting the Ban on Uranium
Mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia that poses an environmental threat to the
Roanoke River Basin and to the citizens of Virginia and North Carolina living in the
Basin noting a similar Resolution was recently adopted by the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Government.
Commissioner Puryear stated opposition to Person County endorsing the City of
Virginia Beach study and referred to an article published in the Danville Register & Bee,
on February 27, 2011, written by Robert Bodnar and Panos Diplas. Bodnar, Ph.D., is the C.C. Garvin Professor of Geology, University Distinguished Professor and Virginia’s
Outstanding Scientist for 2010. He is a member of the faculty at Virginia Tech’s
Department of Geosciences. Diplas, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. The writers of the article entitled Experts: Virginia Beach used old data surmise that the conclusions of the Virginia Beach study is incorrect noting the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information was not used as
input and certain assumptions and concessions were made. Commissioner Puryear
commented the article referred to a detailed study is underway by faculty and students at
Virginia Tech to evaluate the possibility that a major flooding event could release
radiation into the local water system and eventually reaching Lake Gaston. Commissioner Puryear stated he contacted the City of Virginia Beach’s City Manager to
obtain information but did not get a call back prior to the Board meeting. Commissioner
Puryear questioned the creditability of the Virginia Beach study.
Chairman Clayton suggested rewording of the proposed Resolution to not endorse the Virginia Beach study but advocated opposition to uranium mining until which time it
is proven to be mined safely and not adversely affect the Dan River and Kerr Lake, both
which would have impacts to Person County. Chairman Clayton noted support of North
Carolina’s proposed bill to create a study for uranium mining.
Commissioner Puryear stated until creditable evidence of a vital hazardous
impact, he could not endorse. Commissioners Jeffers and Blalock recommended
supporting the state of North Carolina’s proposed study and would like to see the
proposed Resolution re-worded.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Vice Chairman
Puryear, and carried 5-0 to table consideration of adopting a Resolution Opposing
Lifting the Ban on Uranium Mining in the Commonwealth of Virginia that poses an
environmental threat to the Roanoke River Basin and to the citizens of Virginia and
North Carolina living in the Basin until the next Board meeting.
April 4, 2011 6
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’
DISTRICT MEETINGS QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING STATE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: County Manager, Heidi York stated the 2011 General Assembly is moving
rapidly and legislators remain intent on adopting a state budget by June 1st. The North
Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is hosting its annual series of
District Meetings beginning April 6th and is seeking feedback from all counties about top
concerns regarding the state budget as well as the top non-budget related legislative priority. NCACC have requested the Board to complete the questionnaire as a body and send a County Commissioner to present Person County’s priorities and concerns at an
upcoming District Meeting. Ms. York facilitated Board discussion to the following
questions:
1. Please state with specificity your county’s No. 1 issue of concern about the state
budget. (Please tell us why it is No. 1, and how it specifically impacts your county,
including projected revenue losses or additional costs incurred.)
The group agreed the State budget passing down to county unfunded mandates or
consideration to use counties fund balance as a revenue source is the largest concern.
2. What have you heard from your legislators on this subject? (Please let us know who
said what.)
Chairman Clayton stated he has spoken directly with Representative W.A. Wilkins
and he is opposing such legislation.
3. Please state with specificity your county’s No. 1 non-budget related legislative issue. (State why it is No. 1, and how it specifically impacts your county, including projected revenue loss or additional costs incurred.)
The group agreed storm water rules is the most concerning non-budgeted related
issue. Others issues mentioned include proposed legislation related to voter
identification, electronic notices, lifting bans to allow concealed weapons into parks and restaurants that serve alcohol, franchise rights related to high speed internet,
counties may be responsible for charter schools capital needs and increasing the per
credit rate at community colleges.
4. What have you heard from your legislators on this subject? (Please let us know who
said what.)
Chairman Clayton has spoken directly with Representative W.A. Wilkins.
Commissioner Jeffers stated his willingness to attend the April 14, 2011 District Meetings to be held in Randolph County.
April 4, 2011 7
REQUEST BY THE PERSON COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TDA) TO USE THE COUNTY-OWNED BUILDING LOCATED
AT 217 N. MAIN STREET FOR AN OFFICE:
Vice Chairman Puryear stated Board members had received a letter from the TDA Chair as well as he had been contacted by the TDA Director to be added to the agenda.
TDA Director, Margaret McMann requested Board consideration to use the
county-owned spaced located at 217 N. Main Street for an office through an lease
agreement, even if on a temporary basis. Ms. McMann stated TDA would assume expense of utilities, upfit including flooring repair and/or replacement.
Ms. McMann explained TDA is currently housed rent-fee in the Parsonage
building on the Museum of History campus. Ms. McMann indicated the Museum Board
may consider charging rent or utilities, and if so, would like a more visible storefront with signage. Ms. McMann stated the City of Roxboro’s Sign Ordinance prevented her
from displaying a sign in front or at the Parsonage building noting the ordinance limits
one sign on the property and a sign is displayed in front of the Museum facility which
also lists TDA. Ms. McMann confirmed to the Board that TDA has the ability to remain
at the Parsonage building.
It was the consensus of the Board to direct the County Manager to meet with the
TDA Director to create a proposition for Board consideration as well as review potential
options related to the county-owned building located at 217 N. Main Street.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Clayton had no report.
MANAGER’S REPORT: County Manager, Heidi York reminded the Board of the two upcoming
Community Conversations meetings scheduled for April 12, 2011 at Roxboro
Community School and April 26, 2011 at Helena Elementary School, both meetings
starting at 7:00 p.m. and asked for feed back to the structure of the meetings noting a handout is forthcoming for review. Ms. York thanked the Courier-Times for the recent
coverage promoting the upcoming Community Conversations meetings.
Ms. York announced Person County Employee Morale Pals (an internal employee
committee led by John Hill and Rebecca Morrow that works toward boosting morale without any costs) has won the 2010 North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners Outstanding County Program Award. Ms. York noted this is the second
year for a Person County program to win such award.
Ms. York informed the Board that baseball/softball registrations have exceeded last year’s 18 teams, 218 participants to 30 teams, 331 participates to date.
April 4, 2011 8
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Kennington had no report.
Commissioner Blalock inquired if Person County would recognize National
County Government Month focusing on serving on veterans, armed forces and their
families. County Manager, Heidi York stated willingness to recognized National County
Government Month and requested Board input for such recognition.
Commissioner Jeffers commented on recent meetings with the Farm Bureau
Board and their agriculture presence in Person County as well as the meeting he,
Commissioner Kennington and former commissioner Johnny Myrl Lunsford had with the
Triangle YMCA representatives related to exploring options for possible collaboration
for a recreation/Senior Center facility.
Vice Chairman Puryear had no report.
RECESS: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Jeffers, and carried 5-0 to recess the meeting at 8:16 p.m. until April 12, 2011 at 7:00
p.m. at the Roxboro Community School for the purpose of holding a Community
Conversations Meeting.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Jimmy B. Clayton
Clerk to the Board Chairman