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August 22 Joint CityCountyPERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 22, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board Larry H. Bowes Brenda Reaves, Deputy Clerk to the Board Larry E. Yarborough, Jr. ***************************************************************************** The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in joint session with the Roxboro City Council for a Collaborative Meeting on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the classroom at Person Memorial Hospital. Members of the City Council in attendance were Sam Spencer, Henry Daniel, James Allen, Wally Burke, and Mark Phillips. Mayor Steve Joyner, City Manager Jon Barlow, Assistant City Manager Tommy Warren, Planning Director Julie Kelly, City Clerk Trevie Adams, Leigh Woodall, Jim Stovall and Don Garbrick were also in attendance. Mayor Joyner welcomed those in attendance. Following dinner, Mr. Don Garbrick presented an update on the Dan River Water Project. Mr. Garbrick recapped the project from its inception in 2000. He said the City of Roxboro, Person County and the Town of Yanceyville have supported the long-term regional water pact for water access to the Dan River. Caswell County has refused to cooperate with the other entities in their endeavors. The State still wants Caswell County to be part of the process. He said the process of issuing reclassification would be advantageous for the entire region. Mr. Garbrick said a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was released by the State in spring of 2006. He said the second stage of the process is to obtain reclassification of the Dan River in order to withdraw water, and in his opinion, it is vital to continue to process. He indicated there are two options available: 1. continue to meet with Caswell County officials in an attempt to get them to join in, or 2. have the State enforce the watershed ordinance. He said this would be a permitting process, not a process to begin any type of structure. The permitting process would take approximately 12 months and the design of the facility would take approximately two and one half years (permitting and design could run concurrently). It would be three to four years before any water can be drawn from the Dan River. Mayor Joyner said Roxboro and Person County has spent $750,000 to date on the project since it was begun. Chairman Lunsford stated it was important to have a source of water for the future. He said it too far in the process to stop now and that the process should continue to move forward with the State obtaining a reclassification of the Dan River for water withdrawal. It was the consensus of the group to move forward with the legal process to secure water access to the Dan River. *************** Joint City/County Meeting Person Memorial Hospital Classroom 1 Roxboro Planning Director Julie Kelly led a discussion of the proposed establishment of an Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) one-mile area around the city limits of Roxboro. She said the ETJ would serve as a plan for future growth. An ETJ allows the City to have input on zoning regulations with approval from the Commissioners. She said the City would like to concentrate growth in and around areas where city water and sewer services are already available. Chairman Lunsford said he would favor the proposed ETJ as long as the Board of Commissioners stays informed. Commissioner Puryear questioned the timeline involved. Ms. Kelly responded that the boundaries would be identified within the next six months to one year. She said the one mile radius has been established on maps, but use of property lines would be preferable as she did not want to divide properties. Mr. Jim Stovall commented that he favored ETJ’s. He said the larger city population would entice more businesses to locate in Roxboro. ***************** Mr. Jim Stovall, Chairman of the Roxboro/Person County Economic Development Board presented an economic development update to the joint boards. He the new umbrella group will create an economic development vision with plans for a five year development. Mr. Stovall said announcements will be forthcoming of several retail and commercial businesses slated to locate in Roxboro and Person County. He further discussed the need for continued work on the city and county’s infrastructure system and the need for a shell-building program. ****************** Mr. Leigh Woodall updated the joint Boards on the progress of the US 501 North widening project and spoke about events leading to removal of Roxboro and Person County highway projects from the RPO list. He said the issue of adoption of a Right of Way Preservation Ordinance in the future should be addressed. ********************* Mayor Joyner discussed the composition of the Human Relations Commission. The Commission has been inactive for some time. He said the City has had difficulty filling its positions on the Commission. He suggested the Boards take under advisement how the Commission could be more proactive and effective and meet at a later date to discuss the matter. ADJOURNMENT: Joint City/County Meeting Person Memorial Hospital Classroom 2 Joint City/County Meeting Person Memorial Hospital Classroom 3 A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner Bowes and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. _________________________________ ______________________________ Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford Clerk to the Board Chairman