November 21 Special MeetingPERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS November 21, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Heidi N. York, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Kyle W. Puryear -ABSENT Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes Brenda B. Reaves, Deputy Clerk to the Board
Larry E. Yarborough, Jr.
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The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
Special Session on Friday, November, 21, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’
meeting room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order. He stated the purpose of the
meeting was to discuss Courthouse security issues.
County Manager Heidi York stated that at the Board meeting on Monday staff
was directed to bring back proposals for security enhancements at the Courthouse. She
reviewed an estimate of probable construction cost as prepared by MHAworks.
MHAworks is the architectural firm which the county worked with originally to design
the renovation work at the courthouse. She said it is the intention that any security
features would not be duplicated later as the renovation moves forward. The total
estimate of probable costs is $113,000.
The Sheriff’s Department also would require two additional full time
Detention/Court positions and one part/time position to staff the security stations in the
Courthouse. The personnel cost would be estimated at $97,500 per year or $48,700 for
the remainder of this fiscal year.
Ms. York also presented a Resolution Declaring a Special Emergency Relating to
Security in the Person County Courthouse for Board consideration. She explained that
the Resolution would exempt the County from the competitive formal bidding process as
this is an emergency and that time is of the essence.
Chief Deputy Al Rhew spoke to the security issues at the Courthouse. He
explained the design as outlined and provided justification for the two and one-half
additional positions.
County Manager York told the Board that the $113,000 would be taken from
Contingency and the $97,500 could, as an option, be taken from Fund Balance.
Commissioner Yarborough felt that much of the work could be done using county
labor and expertise. Ms. York stated that the numbers reflect materials and not
necessarily labor. She further explained that the enhanced system could be fully
implemented within a month.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton and seconded by Commissioner
Bowes to adopt the Resolution Declaring a Special Emergency Relating to Security in the
Person County Courthouse. The motion carried by a 3/1 vote. Commissioner
Yarborough cast the dissenting vote.
A Resolution Declaring a Special Emergency Relating to Security in the Person
County Courthouse
Whereas, on Monday, November 11, 2008 a citizen was killed across the street from the Person County
courthouse grounds; and
Whereas, the victim in that shooting death had just departed the Courthouse where he was a defendant in a
criminal trial; and
Whereas, the assailant who was carrying a firearm just outside the courthouse might have pursued the
victim inside the courthouse; and
Whereas, security in the courthouse did not and does not adequately prevent the carrying of firearms into
the courthouse and only minimally safeguards court personnel and citizens in the court rooms; and
Whereas, there is a need for secure exterior and inner doors as well as additional metal detectors and other
security devices throughout the courthouse; and
Whereas, county officials and personnel as well as members of the general public cannot be provided
adequate protection in and around the courthouse with the present antiquated security systems; and
Whereas, there is a need for immediate action to alleviate the problems and defects in the courthouse
security system; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners is informed and believes that the cost to remedy the
situation described above will not exceed $500,000 and that the purchase of apparatus, supplies and
materials will not exceed $90,000.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS:
1-That a special emergency involving the health and safety of the people of Person County or their property
exists as provided for in GS 143-129(e)(2), and
2-That Pursuant to GS 143-129(e) the Board of County Commissioners hereby authorizes and directs the
County staff to act with haste to enter into contracts with outside vendors to remedy the emergency
situation, and
3-That the normal bidding requirements of Chapter 143 article 8 of the North Carolina General Statutes
need not be complied with.
This the 21st day of November, 2008.
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman
Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner
Clayton and carried to proceed with the work to provide security at the Courthouse as
needed as cost effectively as possible.
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Special Meeting
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ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner
Clayton and carried to adjourn the meeting a 3:34 p.m.
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Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman