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Agenda Packet April 6 2015PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING AGENDA 304 South Morgan Street, Room 215 Roxboro, NC 27573-5245 336-597-1720 Fax 336-599-1609 April 6, 2014 7:00 pm CALL TO ORDER…………………………………………………. Chairman Puryear INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING: ITEM #1 For Consideration to Repeal Person County’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance …………………… Mike Ciriello ITEM #2 Consideration to Repeal Person County’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance …………….. Chairman Puryear PUBLIC HEARING: ITEM #3 Person County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan ………….. Will Brooks ITEM #4 Resolution of Adoption for the Person County – City of Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan …………………………………………… Chairman Puryear 1 INFORMAL COMMENTS The Person County Board of Commissioners established a 10 minute segment which is open for informal comments and/or questions from citizens of this county on issues, other than those issues for which a public hearing has been scheduled. The time will be divided equally among those wishing to comment. It is requested that any person who wishes to address the Board, register with the Clerk to the Board prior to the meeting. ITEM #5 DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes of March 16, 2015, B. Proclamation for the Week of the Young Child, and C. Budget Amendment #14 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: ITEM #6 Second Reading for an Amendment to the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance ………….................................. Michael Ciriello ITEM #7 Review of the Senior Center Site Options ………………. Heidi York & Ray Foushee NEW BUSINESS: ITEM #8 Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Request for Continued Financial Assistance towards the Senior Center Rent ………. Heidi York ITEM #9 Consideration to abolish the special Board of Equalization and Review for 2015 and forward ………………….. Chairman Puryear & Russell Jones ITEM #10 Recommended Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2016-2020 ………………………………………... Heidi York & Amy Wehrenberg CHAIRMAN’S REPORT MANAGER’S REPORT COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS CLOSED SESSION (if desired by the Board) Note: All Items on the Agenda are for Discussion and Action as deemed appropriate by the Board. 2 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Public Hearing for consideration to Repeal Person County’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance Background: On March 2, 2015, the Person County Commissioners voted unanimously to repeal the Person County Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance. The Person County Attorney has determined that the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities is a free- standing ordinance and does not require action by the Planning Board. Any tower constructed is subject to local planning authority, building code requirements, and State statutes regarding tower construction. Summary of Information: Repealing the Person County Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance requires Planning staff to develop a new approval process for tower projects. There are two options for the new approval process. The differences between these options are the time required to process a permit and the opportunity for public input. Expand Districts Allowing “Radio, Telephone and TV Transmitting Tower(s)” Currently, “Radio, Telephone and TV Transmitting Tower(s)” are not allowed in Neighborhood Shopping district (B-1) and Highway Commercial Business District (B-2). Consider adding to the Table of Permitted Uses, to allow “Radio, Telephone and TV Transmitting Tower(s)” in Neighborhood Shopping district (B-1) and Highway Commercial Business District (B-2). PERMITTING PROCESS OPTION #1: Special Use Permit (Do nothing) A Special Use Permit requires a public hearing by the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Board then makes a recommendation to the Board that a project application be approved with conditions, approved, or denied. The process takes 60 to 90 days. The existing Table of Dimensional Requirements would have no limits on the height of television and radio masts, aerials and towers. Setbacks would be no more than 40’ but no less than 8’ from property lines. This process takes 7 – 10 working days for plans to be reviewed and a zoning permit to be issued. The Board may consider adding height limits and setbacks for radio, telephone and TV transmission towers. PERMITTING PROCESS OPTION #2: Use-by-Right (Administrative Permit) Use-by-Right allows a zoning permit to be issued administratively. If an application is complete, this process takes no more than 48 hours. No public hearing is required. The Board may consider adding height limits and setbacks for radio, telephone and TV transmission towers. 3 PERMITTING PROCESS OPTION #3: Combination of Option 1 and 2 The third option is to consider “Radio, Telephone and TV Transmitting Tower(s)” a Use-by- Right in one or more zoning district(s) but, require a Special Use Permit in the other (s) districts. This would require changing the Table of Permitted Uses, for example, to allow as a Use-by- Right “Radio, Telephone and TV Transmitting Tower(s)” in the General Industrial (GI) and Rural Conservation (RC) zoning districts, but require a Special Use or Conditional Use Permit in Residential (R). If the Board prefers Option #3, consider adding height limits and setbacks for radio, telephone and TV transmission towers to Section 75. Recommended Action: Vote on whether or not to repeal the ordinance. Provide staff with feedback about which process to use for approving new towers. Submitted By: Michael Ciriello, Planning Director 4 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF PERSON, NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD REPEAL PERSON COUNTY’S WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held 7:00 P.M. on April 6, 2015, in Room 215 in the Person County Office Building, 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, North Carolina, for the purpose of hearing public comments as to whether the Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina should repeal Person County’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance. Brenda B. Reaves Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina 5 1 PERSON COUNTY WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ORDINANCE I. Purpose and Legislative Intent The County of Person finds that wireless telecommunications facilities may pose concerns to the health, safety, public welfare, character and environment of the County and its residents. The County also recognizes that facilitating the development of wireless service technology can be an economic development asset to the County and of significant benefit to the County and its residents. In order to assure that the placement, construction or modification of wireless telecommunications facilities is consistent with the County’s land use policies, the County is adopting a single, comprehensive, wireless telecommunications facilities application and permitting process. The intent of this Ordinance is to minimize the physical impact of wireless telecommunications facilities on the community, protect the character of the community to the extent reasonably possible, establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications, assure an integrated, comprehensive review of environmental impacts of such facilities, and protect the health, safety and welfare of the County of Person. II Severability A) If any word, phrase, sentence, part, section, subsection, or other portion of this Ordinance or any application thereof is declared void, unconstitutional, or invalid for any reason, then such word, phrase, sentence, part, section, subsection, or other portion, or the proscribed application thereof, shall be severable, and the remaining provisions of this Ordinance, and all applications thereof, not having been declared void, unconstitutional, or invalid, shall remain in full force and effect. B) Any special use permit issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall be comprehensive and not severable. If part of a permit is deemed or ruled to be invalid or unenforceable in any material respect, by a competent authority, or is overturned by such, the permit shall be void in total, upon determination by the County. III. Definitions For purposes of this Ordinance, and where not inconsistent with the context of a particular section, the defined terms, phrases, words, abbreviations, and their derivations shall have the meaning as defined. When not inconsistent with the context, words in the present tense include the future tense, words used in the plural number include words in the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory, and not merely directory. 1. “Accessory Facility or Structure” means an accessory facility or structure serving or being used in conjunction with wireless telecommunications facilities, and located on the same property or lot as the wireless telecommunications facilities, including but not limited to, utility or transmission equipment storage sheds or cabinets. 2. “Administrative Approval” means zoning approval that the Planning Director or designee is authorized to grant after administrative review. 6 2 3. “Amend” or “Amended” means any change in an application made subsequent to the submission of the application originally submitted, regardless of the reason. 4. “Applicant” means any wireless service provider submitting an application for a special use permit for wireless telecommunications facilities. 5. “Application” means all necessary and required documentation that an applicant submits in order to receive a special use permit or a building permit and zoning permit for wireless telecommunications facilities. 6. “Antenna” means a system of electrical conductors that transmit or receive electromagnetic waves or radio frequency or other wireless signals. 7. “Board” means the Board of County Commissioners. 8. “Carrier on Wheels or Cell on Wheels” (COW) -- A portable self-contained telecommunications facility that can be moved to a location and set up to provide wireless services on a temporary or emergency basis. A COW is normally vehicle-mounted and contains a telescoping boom as the antenna support structure. 9. “Co-location” means the use of an approved telecommunications structure to support an antenna for the provision of wireless services. 10. “Commercial Impracticability” or “Commercially Impracticable” means the inability to perform an act on terms that are reasonable in commerce, the cause or occurrence of which could not have been reasonably anticipated or foreseen and that jeopardizes the financial efficacy of the project. The inability to achieve a satisfactory financial return on investment or profit, standing alone and for a single site, shall not deem a situation to be “commercially impracticable” and shall not render an act or the terms of an agreement “commercially impracticable.” 11. “Completed Application” means all necessary and required information and data are included to enable an informed decision to be made with respect to an application. 12. “DAS” or “Distributive Access System” means a technology using antenna combining technology allowing for multiple carriers or wireless service providers to use the same set of antennas, cabling or fiber optics. 13. “FAA” means the Federal Aviation Administration, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency. 14. “FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency. 15. “Height” means, when referring to a tower or structure, the distance measured from the pre- existing grade level to the highest point on the tower or structure including an antenna or lightening protection device. 7 3 16. “Maintenance” means plumbing, electrical or mechanical work that may require a building permit and zoning permit but that does not constitute a modification to the wireless telecommunications facility. 17. “Modification” or “Modify” means the addition, removal or change of any of the physical and visually discernable components or aspects of a wireless facility, such as antennas, cabling, equipment shelters, landscaping, fencing, utility feeds, changing the color or materials of any visually discernable components, vehicular access, parking and/or an upgrade or change out of equipment for better or more modern equipment. Adding a new wireless carrier or service provider to a telecommunications tower or site as a co-location is a modification. 18. “Monopole” --A single, freestanding pole-type structure supporting one or more antenna. For purposes of this Ordinance, a monopole is not a tower. 19. “Necessary” means what is technologically required for the equipment to function as designed by the manufacturer and that anything less will result in prohibiting or acting in a manner that prohibits the provision of service as intended and described in the narrative of the application. Necessary does not mean what may be desired or preferred technically. 20. “NIER” means Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation. 21. “Person” means any individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, joint stock company, association of two (2) or more persons having a joint common interest, or any other entity. 22. “Personal Wireless Facility” See definition for ‘Wireless Telecommunications Facilities’. 23. “Personal Wireless Services (PWS)” or “Personal Telecommunications Service (PTS)” shall have the same meaning as defined and used in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. 24. "Repairs and Maintenance" means the replacement or repair of any components of a wireless facility where the replacement is identical to the component being replaced or for any matters that involve the normal repair and maintenance of a wireless facility without the addition, removal or change of any of the physical or visually discernable components or aspects of a wireless facility that will add to the visible appearance of the facility as originally permitted. 25. “Replacement” -- Constructing a new support structure of proportions and of equal height or such other height that would not constitute a Substantial Increase to a pre-existing support structure in order to support a telecommunications facility or to accommodate co-location and removing the pre-existing support structure. 26. “Self-Supporting Tower” refers to a four legged, self-supporting tower made of square angular elements designed on a square base pattern. 27. “Special Use Permit” means the official document or permit by which an applicant is allowed to file for a building permit and zoning permit to construct and use wireless telecommunications facilities as granted or issued by the County. 8 4 28. “Stealth” or “Stealth Technology” means a design or treatment that minimizes adverse aesthetic and visual impacts on the land, property, buildings, and other facilities adjacent to, surrounding, and in generally the same area as the requested location of such wireless telecommunications facilities, which shall mean building the least visually and physically intrusive facility that is not technologically or commercially impracticable under the facts and circumstances. Stealth technology includes such technology as DAS or its functional equivalent or camouflage where the tower is disguised to make it less visually obtrusive and not recognizable to the average person as a wireless telecommunications facility. 29. “State” means the State of North Carolina. 30. “Telecommunications” means the transmission and/or reception of audio, video, data, and other information by wire, radio frequency, light, and other electronic or electromagnetic systems. 31. “Telecommunications Facilities” – Any cables, wires, lines, wave guides, antennas, and any other equipment or facilities associated with the transmission or reception of communications which a person seeks to locate or has installed upon or near a tower or antenna support structure. However, telecommunications facilities shall not include: a. Any satellite earth station antenna two meters in diameter or less which is located in an area zoned industrial or commercial; or, b. Any satellite earth station antenna one meter or less in diameter, regardless of zoning category. 32. “Telecommunications Site” See definition for wireless telecommunications facilities. 33. “Telecommunications Structure” means a structure used in the provision of services described in the definition of wireless telecommunications facilities. 34. “Temporary” means temporary in relation to all aspects and components of this Ordinance, something intended to, or that does, exist for fewer than ninety (90) days. 35. “Tower” means any structure designed primarily to support an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal. 36. “Wireless Telecommunications Facility or Facilities (WTF or WTFs)” means and includes a “Telecommunications Site” and “Personal Wireless Facility” meaning a structure, facility or location designed, or intended to be used as, or used to support antennas or other transmitting or receiving devices. This includes without limit, towers of all types, kinds and structures, including, but not limited to buildings, church steeples, silos, water towers, signs or other structures that can be used as a support structure for antennas or the functional equivalent of such. It further includes all related facilities and equipment such as cabling, equipment shelters and other structures associated with the facility. It is a structure and facility intended for transmitting and/or receiving radio, television, cellular, SMR, paging, 911, personal communications services (PCS), commercial satellite services, microwave services and any commercial wireless telecommunication service not licensed by the FCC. 9 5 IV. Summary of Approvals Required for Telecommunications Facilities and Support Structures. Administrative Review and Approval Type of Structure Use Maximum Height Zoning District New Support/Self-Supporting Telecommunications 60 feet Any except residential Stealth Telecommunications 60 feet Any New Support/Self-Supporting Wireless Broadband 120 feet Any Stealth Telecommunications 150 feet Any except residential New Support/Self-Supporting Telecommunications 199 feet Industrial Monopole/Replacement Poles Telecommunications None specified Utility easements or rights of way COWs Telecommunications None specified Any Special Use Permit Any structure not meeting the above guidelines. Exempt 1) Ordinary Maintenance 2) Antennas used by residential households solely for the reception of radio and television broadcasts 3) Satellite antennas used sole for household or residential purposes 4) COWs placed in Person County for 120 days or less after declaration of emergency or disaster 5) Television and AM/FM radio broadcast towers and associated facilities V. Telecommunications Facilities and Support Structures Permitted by Administrative Approval. (A) Telecommunications Facilities Located on Existing Structures (1) Telecommunications facilities are permitted in all zoning districts when located on any existing structure subject to administrative approval in accordance with the requirements of this section. (2) Antennas and accessory equipment may exceed the maximum building height limitations within a zoning district, provided they do not constitute a substantial increase. (3) Minor modifications are permitted in all zoning districts subject to administrative approval in accordance with the requirements of this section. 10 6 (B) New Support Structures (1) New support structures less than sixty (60) feet in height shall be permitted in all zoning districts except residential districts in accordance with the requirements of this section. (2) Stealth telecommunications facilities that are less than sixty (60) feet in height shall be permitted in any residential district after administrative review and administrative approval provided that it meets the applicable standards in accordance with this Ordinance (3) New support structures up to one hundred twenty (120) feet in height that are used to provide wireless broadband service to specific geographical areas or neighborhoods shall be permitted in any zoning district after administrative review and administrative approval in accordance with the standards set forth in this Ordinance. (4) New support structures up to one hundred ninety-nine (199) feet in height shall be permitted in all Industrial Districts in accordance with the requirements of this section. The height of any proposed support structure shall not exceed the minimum height necessary to meet the coverage or capacity objectives of the facility. The setback of the structure shall be governed by the setback requirements of the underlying zoning district. (5) A monopole or replacement pole that will support utility lines as well as a telecommunications facility shall be permitted within utility easements or rights- of-way, in accordance with the requirements of this section. (a) The utility easement or right-of-way shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) feet in width. (b) The easement or right-of-way shall contain overhead utility transmission and/or distribution structures that are eighty (80) feet or greater in height. (c) The height of the monopole or replacement pole may not exceed by more than thirty (30) feet the height of existing utility support structures. (d) Monopoles and the accessory equipment shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from all boundaries of the easement or right-of-way. (e) Single carrier monopoles may be used within utility easements and rights- of-way due to the height restriction imposed by Subsection (c) above. (f) Poles that use the structure of a utility tower for support are permitted under this Part. Such poles may extend up to twenty (20) feet above the height of the utility tower. 11 7 (6) Monopoles or replacement poles located on public property or within public rights-of-way that will support public facilities or equipment in addition to telecommunications facilities shall be permitted in accordance with requirements of this section. Examples include, but are not limited to, municipal communication facilities, athletic field lights, traffic lights, street lights, and other types of utility poles in the public right-of-way. (C) Stealth Telecommunications Facilities (1) Stealth telecommunications facilities shall be permitted in all zoning districts after administrative review and administrative approval in accordance with the requirements below. Stealth facilities in residential areas must not exceed sixty (60) feet and comply with the requirements below in order to qualify for administrative review. (a) Antennas must be enclosed, camouflaged, screened, obscured or otherwise not readily apparent to a casual observer. (b) Existing structures utilized to support the antennas must be allowed within the underlying zone district. Such structures may include, but are not limited to, flagpoles, bell towers, clock towers, crosses, monuments, smoke stacks, parapets, and steeples. (c) Setbacks for stealth facilities that utilize a new structure shall be governed by the setback requirements of the underlying zoning district. (D) COW Facilities and Minor Modifications (1) The use of COWs shall be permitted in any zoning district after administrative review and administrative approval in accordance with the standards set forth in this Ordinance if the use of the COW is either not in response to a declaration or emergency by the Governor or will last in excess of one hundred-twenty (120) days. (E) General Standards, Design Requirements, and Miscellaneous Provisions (1) Unless otherwise specified herein, all telecommunications facilities and support structures permitted by administrative approval are subject to the applicable general standards and design requirements of Section VII and the provisions of Section VIII. (F) Administrative Review Process (1) All administrative review applications must contain the following: (a) Administrative review application form signed by applicant. 12 8 (b) Copy of lease or letter of authorization from property owner evidencing applicant’s authority to pursue zoning application. Such submissions need not disclose financial lease terms. (c) Site plans detailing proposed improvements which comply with Section 81—Site Plan Requirements of the Person County Planning Ordinance. Drawings must depict improvements related to the requirements listed in this section, including property boundaries, setbacks, topography, elevation sketch, and dimensions of improvements. (d) In the case of a new Support Structure: i. Statement documenting why collocation cannot meet the applicant's requirements. Such statement may include justifications, including why collocation is either not reasonably available or technologically feasible as necessary to document the reasons why collocation is not a viable option; and ii. The applicant shall provide a list of all the existing structures considered as alternatives to the proposed location. The applicant shall provide a written explanation why the alternatives considered were either unavailable, or technologically or reasonably infeasible. iii. Applications for new support structures with proposed telecommunications facilities shall be considered together as one application requiring only a single application fee. (e) Administrative review application fee listed as Cellular Tower Recertification, Cellular Tower Fee, and/or Collocation Fee as appropriate in the Person County Schedule of Fees. (2) Procedure (a) Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of an application for administrative review, the Planning Director shall either: (1) inform the applicant in writing the specific reasons why the application is incomplete and does not meet the submittal requirements; or (2) deem the application complete. If the Planning Director informs the applicant of an incomplete application within thirty (30) days, the overall timeframe for review is suspended until such time that the applicant provides the requested information. (b) An applicant that receives notice of an incomplete application may submit additional documentation to complete the application. An applicant’s unreasonable failure to complete the application within sixty (60) business days after receipt of written notice shall constitute a withdrawal of the application without prejudice. An application withdrawn without prejudice may be resubmitted upon the filing of a new application fee. 13 9 (c) The Planning Director must issue a written decision granting or denying the request within ninety (90) days of the submission of the initial application unless: (ii) Planning Director notified applicant that its application was incomplete within thirty (30) days of filing. If so, the remaining time from the ninety (90) day total review time is suspended until the applicant provides the missing information; or (ii) Extension of time is agreed to by the applicant. Failure to issue a written decision within ninety (90) days shall constitute an approval of the application. (d) Should the Planning Director deny the application, the Planning Director shall provide written justification for the denial. The denial must be based on substantial evidence of inconsistencies between the application and this Ordinance. (e) Applicant may appeal any decision of the Planning Director approving, approving with conditions, or denying an application or deeming an application incomplete, within thirty (30) days to the Planning Board in accordance with this Ordinance. VI. Telecommunications Facilities and Support Structures Permitted by Special Use Permit. (A) Any Telecommunications Facility or Support Structures Not Meeting the Requirements of Section V Shall Be Permitted by Special Use Permit in all Zoning Districts Subject to: (1) The submission requirements of Section VI (B) below; and (2) The applicable standards of Sections VII and VIII below; and (3) The requirements of the special use permit general conditions in Section 74 of the Person County Planning Ordinance. (B) Submission Requirements for Special Use Permit Applications (1) All special use permit applications for telecommunications facility and support structures must contain the following: (a) Special Use Permit application form signed by applicant. (b) Copy of lease or letter of authorization from the property owner evidencing applicant’s authority to pursue zoning application. Such submissions need not disclose financial lease terms. 14 10 (c) Written description and scaled drawings of the proposed support structure, including structure height, ground and structure design, and proposed materials. (d) Number of proposed antennas and their height above ground level, including the proposed placement of antennas on the support structure. (e) When locating within a residential area, a written technical and operational analysis of why a monopole or similar structure at a height of less than one hundred (100) feet cannot be used. (f) Line-of-sight diagram or photo simulation, showing the proposed support structure set against the skyline and viewed from at least four (4) directions within the surrounding areas. (g) A statement justifying why collocation is not feasible. Such statement shall include: (i) Such technical information and other justifications as are necessary to document the reasons why collocation is not a viable option; and (ii) A list of the existing structures considered as possible alternatives to the proposed location and a written explanation why the alternatives considered were either unavailable or technologically infeasible. (h) A statement that the proposed support structure will be made available for collocation to other service providers at commercially reasonable rates. (i) Proof that the proposed special use will not materially injure the value of the adjoining or abutting property as required by Section 74 of the Person County Planning Ordinance. (j) Special use permit application fee and Cellular Tower Recertification, Cellular Tower Fee, and/or Collocation Fee as appropriate as listed in the Person County Schedule of Fees. (C) Procedure (1) Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of an application for administrative review, the Planning Director shall either: (1) inform the applicant in writing the specific reasons why the application is incomplete and does not meet the submittal requirements; or (2) deem the application complete and meet with the applicant. If the Planning Director informs the applicant of an incomplete application within thirty (30) days, the overall timeframe for review is suspended until such time that the applicant provides the requested information. (2) If an application is deemed incomplete, an applicant may submit additional materials to complete the application. An applicant’s unreasonable failure to complete the application within sixty (60) business days after receipt of written 15 11 notice shall constitute a withdrawal of the application without prejudice. An application withdrawn without prejudice may be resubmitted upon the filing of a new application fee. (3) A complete application for a special use permit shall be scheduled for a hearing date as required by Section 74 of the Person County Planning Ordinance. (4) Applications for new support structures with proposed telecommunications facilities shall be considered as one application requiring a single application fee. (5) The posting of the property and public notification of the application shall be accomplished in the same manner required for any special use permit application under this Ordinance. (6) The Planning Director must issue a written decision granting or denying the request within one hundred-fifty (150) days of the submission of the initial application unless: (i) The Planning Director notified applicant that its application was incomplete within thirty (30) days of filing. If so, the remaining time from the one hundred-fifty (150) day total review time is suspended until the applicant provides the missing information; or (ii) Extension of time is agreed to by the applicant. Failure to issue a written decision within one hundred-fifty (150) days shall constitute an approval of the application. VII. General Standards and Design Requirements. (A) Design (1) Support Structures shall be subject to the following: (a) Shall be designed to accommodate a minimum number of collocations based upon their height: (i) Support structures sixty (60) to one hundred (100) feet shall support at least two (2) telecommunications providers; (ii) Support structures from one hundred (100) to one hundred-fifty feet (150) shall support at least three (3) telecommunications providers; (iii) Support structures greater than one hundred-fifty (150) feet in height shall support at least four (4) telecommunications carriers. (b) The compound area surrounding the monopole must be of sufficient size to accommodate accessory equipment for the appropriate number of telecommunications providers in accordance with Section VII(A)(1)(a). 16 12 (2) Stealth telecommunications facilities shall be designed to accommodate the co- location of other antennas whenever feasible. (3) Upon request of the applicant, the Planning Board may waive the requirement that new support structures accommodate the co-location of other service providers if it finds that co-location at the site is not essential to the public interest, or that the construction of a shorter support structure with fewer antennas will promote community compatibility. (B) Setbacks (1) Property Lines. Unless otherwise stated herein, support structures shall be set back from all property lines a distance equal to their height measured from the base of the structure to its highest point. (2) Self-Supporting Towers. Self-support structures shall be set back from all property lines a distance equal to their ½ height measured from the base of the structure to its highest point but not less than the existing setbacks in the zoning district for other structures. (3) Residential Dwellings. Unless otherwise stated herein, monopoles, towers and other support structures shall be set back from all off-site residential dwellings a distance equal to the height of the structure. There shall be no setback requirement from dwellings located on the same parcel as the proposed structure. Existing or replacement structures shall not be subject to a setback requirement. (4) Unless otherwise stated herein, all accessory equipment shall be set back from all property lines in accordance with the minimum setback requirements in the underlying zoning district. Accessory equipment associated with an existing or replacement utility pole shall not be subject to a setback requirement. (5) The Planning Board shall have the authority to vary any required setback upon the request of the applicant if: (a) Applicant provides a letter stamped by a certified structural engineer documenting that the proposed structure’s fall zone is less than the actual height of the structure. (b) The telecommunications facility or support structure is consistent with the purposes and intent of this Ordinance. (C) Height (1) In non-residential districts, support structures shall be designed to be the minimum height needed to meet the service objectives. (2) In residential districts, support structures shall not exceed a height equal to one hundred ninety-nine (199) feet from the base of the structure to the top of the 17 13 highest point, including appurtenances. Any proposed support structure shall be designed to be the minimum height needed to meet the service objectives. (3) In all zoning districts, the Planning Board shall have the authority to vary the height restrictions of this section upon the request of the applicant and a satisfactory showing of need for a greater height. With its waiver request the applicant shall submit such technical information or other justifications as are necessary to document the need for the additional height to the satisfaction of the Planning Board. (D) Aesthetics (1) Lighting and Marking. Telecommunications facilities or support structures shall not be lighted or marked unless required by the FCC or the FAA. (2) Signage. Signs located at the telecommunications facility shall be limited to ownership and contact information, FCC antenna registration number (if required) and any other information required by government regulation. Commercial advertising is strictly prohibited. (3) Landscaping. In all districts, the Planning Board shall have the authority to impose reasonable landscaping requirements surrounding the accessory equipment. Required landscaping shall be consistent with surrounding vegetation and shall be maintained by the facility owner. The Planning Board may choose to not require landscaping for sites that are not visible from the public right-of-way or adjacent property or in instances where in the judgment of the Planning Board, landscaping is not appropriate or necessary. (E) Accessory equipment, including any buildings, cabinets or shelters, shall be used only to house equipment and other supplies in support of the operation of the telecommunication facility or support structure. Any equipment not used in direct support of such operation shall not be stored on the site. The accessory equipment must conform to the setback standards of the applicable zone. In the situation of stacked equipment buildings, additional screening/landscaping measures may be required by the Planning Board. VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions. (A) Fencing (1) Ground mounted accessory equipment and support structures shall be secured and enclosed with a fence not less than six (6) feet in height as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board. (2) The Planning Board may waive the requirement of Subsection (1) above if it is deemed that a fence is not appropriate or needed at the proposed location. 18 14 (B) Abandonment and Removal. If a support structure is abandoned, and it remains abandoned for a period in excess of twelve (12) consecutive months, the County may require that such support structure be removed only after first providing written notice to the owner of said structure and giving them the opportunity to take such action(s) as may be necessary to reclaim said structure within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice. In the event the owner of the support structure fails to reclaim said structure within the thirty (30) day period, they shall be required to remove it within six (6) months thereafter. The County shall ensure and enforce removal by means of its existing regulatory authority. (C) Multiple Uses on a Single Parcel or Lot. Telecommunications facilities and support structures may be located on a parcel containing another principal use on the same site or may be the principal use itself. IX. Telecommunications Facilities and Support Structures in Existence on the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance. (A) Telecommunications facilities and support structures that were legally permitted on or before the date this Ordinance shall be considered a permitted and lawful use. (B) The provisions of this section are limited to those structures that do not meet the height or setback requirements set forth in these regulations. (C) Non-conforming Support Structures (1) Ordinary maintenance may be performed on a non-conforming support structure or telecommunications facility. (2) Co-location and/or minor modifications of telecommunications facilities on an existing non-conforming support structure shall not be construed as an expansion, enlargement or increase in intensity of a non-conforming structure and/or use and shall be permitted through the administrative approval process defined in Section IV. (3) Major modifications may be made to non-conforming support structures utilizing the regulatory approval process defined in Section V. X. Retention of Expert Assistance (A) The County may hire any consultant and/or expert necessary to assist the County in reviewing and evaluating the Application, including the construction and modification of the site, once permitted, and any site inspections. (B) The hiring of any consultant will be based upon the findings of the County Manager or their designee of a demonstrable need for assistance beyond the expertise of the County staff. 19 15 (C) The cost of retaining this expert will be borne by the applicant and shall not exceed an amount of $4,000. XI. Effective Date This ordinance shall become effective on the 6th day of December, 2010 and amended September 6, 2011. XII. Non Applicability to State Owned or Operated Facilities on County Owned Property This ordinance or any other provision of the Person County Planning Ordinances shall not apply to wireless telecommunications towers or facilities owned and/or operated by the state of North Carolina on property owned by Person County located on Critcher Wilkerson Road and identified on the records of Person County as Tax Map 118 Parcel 8. Adopted this the ____ day of March, 2015. Kyle W. Puryear, Chairman Person County Board of Commissioners Attest: Brenda B. Reaves Clerk to the Board 20 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Public Hearing Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and a Resolution for Adoption for the Person County – City of Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan Summary of Information: A Public Hearing is required for local adoption. Following the Request for a Resolution of Adoption by the Board of Commissioners of a five-year update to the Person County – City of Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan. Local hazard mitigation planning is a requirement under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 for Federal and State declared natural disaster recovery assistance and supporting mitigation programs. The plan update addresses both the County and City of Roxboro’s assessment of disaster mitigation practices; thus, satisfying all required FEMA planning elements as a multi-jurisdictional plan. The plan five-year update has been conditionally approved by FEMA, pending local adoption. Recommended Action: Conduct the Public Hearing as required and approve the Resolution of Adoption. Submitted By: Will Brooks, Project Consultant, Kerr-Tar COG 21 PERSON COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Beginning in August 2014, Person County and the City of Roxboro updated their existing Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). FEMA gave preliminary plan approval, pending local adoption, of the multi-jurisdictional plan in March 2015. The multi-jurisdictional HMP will serve as a blueprint for the City and County to follow to help reduce property damages and save lives from the effects of future natural hazards. The HMP is required in order for the City and County to receive certain types of state and federal disaster relief funding when future disasters, e.g., widespread flooding, occur. The public is invited to the Person County Board of Commissioners meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2015 in Room 215 of the Person County Office Building at 304 South Morgan Street, Roxboro, North Carolina. The Person-Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan update, is available online at www.personcounty.net or in the Person County Planning Department at 325 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, N.C. The public may also attend the Roxboro City Council meeting which will also be held at 7:00 p.m., April 14, 2015 at Roxboro City Hall, Council Chambers, 105 S. Lamar Street, Roxboro, North Carolina. If you have any questions or cannot attend the meeting and would like more information, please contact Paula Murphy or Aaron Holland, Planning and Zoning Department at (336) 597-1750/ (336) 599-3116. Published March 28, 2015 22 2015 PERSON COUNTY-CITY OF ROXBORO HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE 23 RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION Person County – City of Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan WHEREAS, the citizens and property within Person County and City of Roxboro are subject to the effects of natural hazards and man-made hazard events that pose threats to lives and cause damages to property, and with the knowledge and experience that certain areas, i.e., flood hazard areas, are particularly susceptible to flood hazard events; and WHEREAS, the County desires to seek ways to mitigate situations that may aggravate such circumstances; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of North Carolina has in Part 6, Article 21 of Chapter 143; Parts 3, 5, and 8 of Article 19 of Chapter 160A; and Article 8 of Chapter 160A of the North Carolina General Statutes, delegated to local governmental units the responsibility to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of North Carolina has in Section 1 Part 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes (adopted in Session Law 2001-214—Senate Bill 300 effective July 1, 2001), states in Item (a) (2) “For a state of disaster proclaimed pursuant to G.S. 166A6 (a) after November 1, 2004, the eligible entity shall have a hazard mitigation plan approved pursuant to the Stafford Act”; and WHEREAS, Section 322 of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 states that local government must develop an All-Hazards Mitigation Plan in order to receive future Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds, and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Board of Commissioners of Person County and the Roxboro City Council to fulfill this obligation in order that the County and City will be eligible for state assistance in the event that a state of disaster is declared for a hazard event affecting the County or City; NOW, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Commissioners of Person County and Roxboro City Council hereby: 1. Adopts the Person County – City of Roxboro Hazard Mitigation Plan; and 2. Vests the County Manager and City Manager with the responsibility, authority, and the means to: (a) Inform all concerned parties of this action. (b) Cooperate with Federal, State and local agencies and private firms which undertake to study, survey, map, and identify floodplain or flood-related erosion areas, and cooperate with neighboring communities with respect to management of adjoining floodplain and/or flood-related erosion areas in order to prevent aggravation of existing hazards. (c) Adjust the boundaries of County and municipal planning jurisdictions whenever a municipal annexation or extraterritorial jurisdiction revision results in a change whereby a municipality assumes or relinquishes the authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for a particular area in order that all Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FHBMs) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) accurately represent the planning jurisdiction boundaries. Provide notification of boundary revisions along with a map suitable for reproduction, clearly delineating municipal corporate limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction boundaries to all concerned parties. 161 3. Appoints the County Manager and City Manager to assure that the Hazard Mitigation Plan is reviewed annually and in greater detail at least once every five years to assure that the Plan is in compliance with all State and Federal regulations and that any needed revisions or amendments to the Plan are developed and presented to the Person- Roxboro Board of Commissioners for consideration. 4. Agrees to take such other official action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adopted by Person County on April 6, 2015 and by City of Roxboro on April 14, 2015. Adoption to be within one calendar year after FEMA approval. _____________________________________________________________ Kyle Puryear, Chairman Person County Board of Commissioners _____________________________________________________________ Marilyn Newell, Mayor City of Roxboro Attest: SEAL ___________________________________________________________________ Brenda Reaves, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners SEAL ___________________________________________________________________ Trevie Adams, City Council Clerk 162 March 16, 2015 1 PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MARCH 16, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT March 16, 2015 2 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: SECOND READING OF ABANDONED STRUCTURE ORDINANCE: Director of Inspections, Sam Hobgood stated that the Board, at its March 2, 2015 meeting, voted 4-1 to adopt the Abandoned Structure Ordinance at the First Reading. Since the ordinance was not adopted unanimously, the Board had a duty to have a Second Reading to which a simple majority vote would be required to adopt the ordinance. Mr. Hobgood highlighted the following key points related to the Abandoned Structure Ordinance. • Covers manufactured mobile homes and abandoned residential and commercial structures, • Ordinance shall not apply to structures further than 500’ from residential or public uses (schools, playgrounds) on adjacent properties; and, not visible from transportation right-of-way, • Exceptions for farm structures and historic properties, • Abandoned structure standards would be enforced by Building Inspections, • Mobile home grant program (optional) would be administered by the Planning Department, • County can pay for removal costs; however, removal costs cannot be collected via the property tax bill only through a lien on the property, • Appeals heard by Board of Commissioners, and • Operating Cost: $15,000 - $20,000 – Some operating funds would be needed to pay for clean-up of abandoned structures. Mr. Hobgood estimated having ten complaints over the last ten years for abandoned structures. Commissioner Kendrick noted his displeasure with county government dictating what individuals can and cannot do on their own personal property. Mr. Hobgood noted NC General Statute 153A-366 (Unsafe buildings condemned. The inspector shall condemn as unsafe each building that appears to him to be especially dangerous to life because of its liability to fire, bad conditions of walls, overloaded floors, defective construction, decay, unsafe wiring or heating system, inadequate means of egress, or other causes; and he shall affix a notice of the dangerous character of the building to a conspicuous place on its exterior wall.), which is already in place; the adoption of the proposed ordinance provides enforcement power for condemned structures to be torn down. A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 3-2 to approve the Abandoned Structure Ordinance. Chairman Puryear, Vice Chairman Newell and Commissioner Jeffers voted in support of the motion. Commissioners Kendrick and Clayton cast the dissenting votes. 164 March 16, 2015 3 165 March 16, 2015 4 166 March 16, 2015 5 167 March 16, 2015 6 168 March 16, 2015 7 NEW BUSINESS: PRELIMINARY OPTIONS ON SENIOR CENTER SITES: Heidi York, County Manager stated the Board, at its March 2, 2015 meeting, directed the Manager to work with Brockwell Associates to acquire preliminary plans and options related to a potential senior center on the three different parcels that the City is willing to convey to the County for use as a senior center. Ray Foushee, General Services Director introduced Mr. Sam Brockwell and Mr. Brent Davis from Brockwell Associates of Durham. Mr. Brockwell stated their architectural firms evaluated and explored options on the former hotel lot, the former senior center structure along with the green area adjacent to the senior center structure. Mr. Brockwell and Mr. Davis provided an overview of the options: Option 1 and 1a: Hotel Lot Maximum/Hotel Lot New Building – New 2- Story Construction Cost $2,350,200 for 12,000 sq. ft. on existing vacant hotel lot presented as one of the best solutions for price, flexibility of programming as well as overall building performance with an option to increase the sq. ft. to a maximum of 14,950. The scope of work is not restricted due to existing building elements. The construction is commercial, steel frame with masonry material exterior similar to existing structures in the area. Mr. Brockwell stated a clear span building (metal with a brick veneer exterior) is not recommended. Mr. Brockwell stated the site work/parking fee potentially be could be cut in half if the parking was eliminated. Option 2: Existing Senior Building 2-Story Renovation 12,000 sq. ft.- Construction Cost without fire suppression is $2,470,300. Fire Suppression required if assembly areas exceed 299 people – add $50,000 to total costs. Option 2 is a challenge due to the existing building elements (tight floor to floor dimensions, roof issues, basement not occupiable) will negatively impact the ability to freely program the space for its intended use. The existing building also presents a challenge for code compliance. Unforeseen conditions in old structures results in unforeseen costs/budget overages which are not reflected in the preliminary budget. Option 3: New Construction of Building on Existing Senior Lot – Cost $2,608,400 for 12,000 sq. ft. of a new facility which would require demolition of existing structure with more extensive site preparation in comparison to the former hotel lot or the existing green space with more flexible programming space than option 2. Setback requirements to the adjacent property owners. Option 3 would encroach on the green space in order to achieve the desire square footage. Note: unknown site conditions beneath the existing building could result in budget overages. Mr. Davis stated NC Historic Preservation approval would be required prior to demolition due to the site lies within a historic district. 169 March 16, 2015 8 Option 4: New and Renovated Construction – 1-Story 6,000 sq. ft. on existing structure (remove attic) plus new construction of a 2-Story addition encroaching on grassy area to achieve desire square footage. Cost as follows: 12,000 sq. ft. new plus renovation $3,111,200 8,000 sq. ft. new plus renovation $2,511,200 6,000 sq. ft. new plus renovation $2,271,200 Mr. Brockwell presented option 4 as the best overall option with most potential. Leaving the existing structure exterior walls intact provides opportunities within the building code that would be lost with demolition (retain current windows). Should the structure change in use and occupancy classification, the windows would have to be replaced. The new addition would connect with a terrace/patio area. Mr. Davis informed the group that potential for obtaining historic grant funding through the Main Street Program exists to save old buildings. Mr. Davis noted the City of Roxboro would have to submit the grant application and the award could be up to $200,000 based on criteria, i.e. number of full time employees. Commissioner Jeffers noted his preference for options 1 and 1a as both allowed for future expansion. Mr. Davis pointed out that the only access between the former hotel lot and the existing structure lot is at the corner. Commissioner Kendrick asked the Brockwell representatives about a pre- engineered steel building concept lessening the engineer fees. Mr. Brockwell noted he did not have this information nor was this the firm’s recommendation; however noted he could provide such information if a steel building was desired by the Board. Chairman Puryear requested the potential timeframe for the proposed project once the Board chose an option. The Brockwell representative noted the process of approvals to ready the site for construction was estimated to take six months with the construction phase lasting from ten to eighteen months. Commissioner Clayton noted option 4 illustrated the best opportunity for expansion. Commissioner Kendrick requested more time for review before the Board make a recommendation. Chairman Puryear stated this item would be tabled for review until the Board’s next meeting for recommendation. The drawings presented by Brockwell Associates follows: 170 March 16, 2015 9 171 March 16, 2015 10 172 March 16, 2015 11 173 March 16, 2015 12 174 March 16, 2015 13 175 March 16, 2015 14 RECOGNITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DAY: Chairman Puryear welcomed the Person High School students enrolled in civics and economics participating in Local Government Day to observe the Board of County Commissioners in session. Chairman Puryear, Vice Chairman Newell and Commissioners Clayton, Jeffers and Kendrick proceeded to introduce themselves; County Manager, Heidi York and Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves also introduced themselves. Chairman Puryear asked other county staff to stand to be recognized that was present in the audience. COUNTY EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN FOR FY 2015-2016: Heidi York, County Manager stated she requested the renewal quotes for Person County’s employee health benefits earlier than in previous years in an effort to involve the Board in determining the most fiscally responsible option that also addresses the needs of the county’s workforce. Ms. York noted the County currently enrolls 412 subscribers to the health benefits plan at a cost of $2,508,833; paying a rate of $507.45 per employee per month. Ms. York reminded the Board that the County utilizes the services of its brokers Mr. Phillip Allen of Thompson-Allen Insurance of Roxboro and Mr. Bryan Bickley of Scott Benefit Services of Raleigh who would present their health benefits renewal analysis to the Board. Ms. York further noted the brokers are supporting the transition to a self-funded benefits plan and will provide costs for both the current fully insured option with Coventry as well as a self-funded option through Coventry for the next fiscal year. Mr. Allen and Mr. Bickley gave the Board the following presentation entitled Person County 2015 Renewal Meeting. Mr. Bickley explained the option to renew with Coventry for fully insured would result in an increase of 14.64% for a health benefits plan cost of $3,137,858; paying a rate of $634.68 per employee per month. Another fully insured Coventry CareLink option narrows the network of providers to CareLink Duke realizes an increase of 4.44% for a health benefits plan cost of $2,858,472; paying a rate of $578.17 per employee per month. Mr. Bickley outlined the Coventry Self-Funded option for an increase by 8.94% to reflect the maximum liability costs at the current enrollment for a budgeted health benefits plan cost of $2,981,811. 176 March 16, 2015 15 177 March 16, 2015 16 178 March 16, 2015 17 179 March 16, 2015 18 180 March 16, 2015 19 181 March 16, 2015 20 182 March 16, 2015 21 183 March 16, 2015 22 184 March 16, 2015 23 185 March 16, 2015 24 186 March 16, 2015 25 187 March 16, 2015 26 188 March 16, 2015 27 Mr. Bickley stated the trend has been for companies to move toward self-funded plans noting self-funding is less expensive for everyone. Mr. Bickley told the group that the total claims drive the premium costs. Mr. Bickley stated Person County could expect $2M in claims in the first year, however staff was recommended to budget at the maximum liability for claims at $2.9M. Mr. Bickley confirmed the plan would not change from the current design by moving to self-funded. Vice Chairman Newell asked if other employee benefits, i.e. dental, group life could be bundled with health to realize a group savings. Mr. Allen stated that was not possible due to the fact that the claims drive the cost. Mr. Allen noted the fixed costs could be negotiated, i.e. commissions is a fixed cost. Mr. Allen further noted that employers can redesign the plan to a) decrease the level of benefits, b) make changes in the plan design, and/or c) set a contribution by the employees, each resulting in a lesser employer contribution. Commissioner Clayton stated support of the employees making their own plan design choices, i.e. reduced premium with a higher deductible. Mr. Allen told the Board the first year the premium was $2,485,877 for fiscal year 2013-14 and the claims for the same period of $2,209,061 with a loss ratio at 88.8%. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendrick and carried 5-0 to adopt the self- funded insurance plan. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendrick and carried 5-0 for the Board to take a brief recess at 11:07 am. Chairman Puryear reconvened the meeting at 11:13 am. 189 March 16, 2015 28 STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate stated at the Board’s Budget Retreat, the commissioners recommended that staff 1) review the structure of the SPC III document 2) focus on community and economic development only and 3) create a CIP-like strategic plan document. Ms. Tate presented the following options for the Board’s feedback: Option #1: Begin work on a new strategic plan focused on community and economic development. Provide staff with feedback about the attached projects and potential committee members. Option #2: Continue work on the Person Futures Plan. Meet with strategic plan groups and develop funding request for FY16 budget. See attached for projects proposed at the FY15 budget retreat. Option #3: Conduct a community-wide survey, instead of a strategic plan. Conduct a survey in-house or hire the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA) to conduct a survey, which can be compared to other communities of similar size ($7,000 - $14,000). Option #4: Do nothing. Chairman Puryear supported option 1 with using previous Strategic Plan Committee (SPC) members or equivalent for the position represented to move forward on developing a new strategic plan focusing on economic development. In addition, Commissioner Jeffers advocated to hire a consultant to facilitate the economic development ideas from the group that agree to serve on the new committee. Chairman Puryear recommended using the previous SPC four areas of study: o Branding/Marketing; o Education, Training and Business Development; o Infrastructure; and o Quality of Life. Commissioner Jeffers suggested the use of billboards in neighboring areas to promote Person County. Ms. Tate indicated the next step would be to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a consultant as well contact previous SPC members to serve on the new committee. Chairman Puryear asked the County Manager to share the previous strategic plan committees’ list of members with the Board. 190 March 16, 2015 29 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UPDATE: Mr. Paul Westfall, Interim County Extension Director told the group that Cooperative Extension conducted a strategic planning initiative to help the organization cope with continued budget cuts and realign services. The result was a reduction in one admin support position for Person County beginning in FY16. In order to achieve the State’s cuts for FY17, the current proposal is to share all staff but 4-H with Granville County. Mr. Westfall shared the following presentation with the Board: 191 March 16, 2015 30 192 March 16, 2015 31 193 March 16, 2015 32 194 March 16, 2015 33 195 March 16, 2015 34 196 March 16, 2015 35 197 March 16, 2015 36 Vice Chairman Newell asked Mr. Westfall about the prospect of Person County becoming a food growing county to which he replied very feasible for specialty crops noting local foods are strong in NC. Commissioner Clayton noted the benefits of the Voluntary Agricultural Districts, the educational Farm Tour as well as many participating youth of 4-H programs. Commissioner Jeffers commended the Farmland Protection Plan moving forward. PUBLIC SALE OF “LIBRARY HOUSE”: General Services Director, Ray Foushee told the group that quite a few years ago, the house and .85/100 acre that is located at 2461 Burlington Road was donated to the Person County Library in a “trust” under the will of Mattie Maude Williams. For a time, the head librarian lived in the house. Later, when that was not practical, the County began to lease the property (through a rental agency) and continued that up through September 2014. Mr. Foushee stated with the guidance of the County Attorney, staff decided it best to remove the property from the rental market, sell the house/property, and put the proceeds back into the library trust fund. However, removing the property from the “trust” was not easy and resulted in a lengthy court proceeding. In December 2014, the Superior Court judge ruled that the property could be sold at Public Auction and proceeds go to the library fund. Thus, upon instruction from the County, Alan Hicks, a local attorney will orchestrate the sale of this property through the required 20-day advertisement period. In order to prevent the sale going significantly below market value, Mr. Foushee requested the Board to approve the County entering an upset bid of up to $100,000. Mr. Foushee noted that Wayne Ross, a local appraiser completed and released to the County on March 5, 2015 an appraisal that stated the value of this house/property at $100,000. Mr. Foushee stated if approved by the Board and the County has to use the upset bid process, the County would then be able to advertise and sell the property by any approved means, including the use of a real estate agent. A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton and carried 5-0 to approve the County entering an upset bid up to $100,000. 198 March 16, 2015 37 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Puryear report that he and Vice Chairman Newell recently met with the Chair and Vice Chairman of the Board of Education to discuss their budget request. Chairman Puryear told the group that he had participated in the Reality Store through the Chamber of Commerce. The Reality Store is an interactive, hands-on simulation of real life in which 8th graders are assigned a career with basic educational requirements and family life. Depending on their life assignments, the students move from booth to booth where each represent expenses and income for living. The Reality Store is designed to provide students with a glimpse into their future lives, and help them with real- world financial planning, goal setting, decision making and career planning. MANAGER’S REPORT: County Manager, Heidi York reported that staff and Vice Chairman Newell met with a representative from DENR related to the available testing by the State at the landfill. Ms. York noted the DENR representative is available to attend the Board’s meeting in April once the Board provides input for the specific data to which he will be asked to address. Ms. York said she would provide the Board contact information to give residents that complain of odor issues from the landfill. Ms. York asked the Board to confirm attendance at a closed session meeting for PCBIC on March 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm in the S-100 room at Piedmont Community College for the purpose of consultant site evaluation follow-up. COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS: Commissioner Jeffers reported he presented the proposed capital program to the Fire Chief’s Association to which they were appreciative and agreed to accept the proposal. Commissioner Clayton encouraged the Board to attend the upcoming County Assembly Day scheduled for May 6, 2015 for an opportunity to talk to the legislative delegation representing Person County. Commissioner Kendrick had no report. Vice Chairman Newell reported the DENR representative, Jason Watkins would address complaints about the landfill noting he was currently working to get an inspector on site to address a recent complaint. 199 March 16, 2015 38 CLOSED SESSION #1 A motion was made by Commissioner Kendrick and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) at 11:47 am for the purpose of discussion of matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the county (economic development update) with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves and Economic Development Director, Stuart Gilbert. It was the consensus of the Board to hold the Closed Session in the Board’s meeting room 215. A brief recess was called to relocate the meeting to the Board’s meeting room 215. Chairman Puryear called the Closed Session to order at 11:54 am. A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to return to open session at 12:14 pm. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Commissioner Kendrick and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 12:14 pm. _____________________________ ______________________________ Brenda B. Reaves Kyle W. Puryear Clerk to the Board Chairman (Draft Board minutes are subject to Board approval). 200 PROCLAMATION BY Person County Board of Commissioners On THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD WHEREAS, the Person County Partnership for Children and other local organizations, in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD April 12-18, 2015; and WHEREAS, by calling attention to the need for high-quality early childhood services for all children and families within our community/state, these groups hope to improve the quality and availability of such services; and WHEREAS, the future of Person County depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today. NOW THEREFORE, the Person County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim the week of April 12-18, 2015 as THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD in Person County and urge all citizens to recognize and support the needs of young children in Person County. Adopted this, the 6th day of April, 2015. ____________________________________ Kyle Puryear, Chairman Person County Board of Commissioners Attest: ____________________________________ Brenda B. Reaves, NCCCC, CMC Clerk to the Board 201 3/16/2015 Dept./Acct No.Department Name Amount Incr / (Decr) EXPENDITURES General Fund Human Services (20,649) Transportation 20,549 REVENUES General Fund Fund Balance Appropriation (100) Explanation: BUDGET AMENDMENT Correction of Budget Amendment 12 - funds for ROAP were mistakenly applied to DSS rather than PATS. This will correct each department budget per the terms of the state allocation, and results in a small reduction in fund balance appropriation for the year (-$100). BA 14202 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Second Reading for an Amendment to the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance Background: At the Board of Commissioners’ March 2, 2015 meeting, amendments were presented for consideration to the Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance. Staff was asked to clarify and change the time limit on the second notice to 30 days as well as review the definition of junk. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Newell and carried 3-2 to table the proposed amendments to the existing Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance. Vice Chairman Newell and Commissioners Kendrick and Jeffers voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Puryear and Commissioner Clayton cast the dissenting votes. A motion to take the matter up again (revive consideration) is required by a member of the prevailing side, (in this case Vice Chairman Newell, Commissioner Kendrick and Commissioner Jeffers) prior to the Board proceeding with the Second Reading. If this matter is not taken up again within 100 days (June 10, 2015) of the First Reading, the agenda would have to be taken back up as a new item. Summary of Information: Key Points • Adds definition of “Establishment” to mean “commercial” operations • Adds clarification about the applicability of the ordinance to residential properties • Does not apply to residential properties that are not visible from adjacent residential or public uses (schools, playgrounds) on adjacent properties or from public roads or to farms as defined by State statute and construction sites with currently active permits; • Enforcement process managed by the Planning Department • Specific abatement process would apply to “chronic offenders”; costs would be applied to property tax bill • Appeals heard by Board of County Commissioners • 2nd notice allows for 30 days to remedy violation Recommended Action: 1) A motion to revive consideration for the Amendment to the Automobile, Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance, and 2) Review and vote on the amended Automobile Graveyard and Junkyard Ordinance. A simple majority vote is required for the amended ordinance to be adopted. Submitted By: Michael Ciriello, Planning Director 203 ORDINANCE REGULATING AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARDS AND JUNKYARDS IN PERSON COUNTY SECTION ONE. TITLE This ordinance may be known and may be cited as “Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards in Person County.” SECTION TWO. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The purposes and objectives for which this ordinance is passed are as follows: A. To protect the citizens and residents of Person County from possible injury at automobile graveyards and junkyards. B. To preserve the dignity and aesthetic quality of the environment in Person County. C. To preserve the physical integrity of land in close proximity to residential areas. D. To protect the economic interests of the citizens and residents of Person County. E. To achieve responsible economic growth in areas of Person County that is compatible with growth and development in nearby areas. SECTION THREE. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this ordinance, certain terms and words are hereby defined; words used in the present tense shall include the future; words used in the singular number shall include the plural number; and the plural the singular; and the word “shall” is mandatory and not directory. Automobile Graveyard: The term and definition of “automobile graveyards” shall apply to commercial establishment only. Any commercial establishment which is maintained, used, or operated for storing, salvaging, keeping, buying and selling two or more wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled or inoperable motor vehicles and which are not being restored to operation, regardless of the length of time which individual motor vehicles are stored or kept at said establishment. The phrase “automobile graveyard” as used herein shall be interpreted to include all service stations and repair shops which have on their premises four or more wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled or inoperable motor vehicles which are not being restored to operation. Chronic Offender: A person who owns property whereupon, in the previous calendar year, the county gave notice of violation at least three times under any provision of the public nuisance ordinance. Establishment: Any commercial operation. 204 Housing Unit: A house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters. Junk: The term “junk” shall mean scrap metal, rope, rages, batteries, paper, trash, rubber, debris, tires, waste, or junked, dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles or parts. Junkyard: An establishment which is maintained, operated, or used for storing, salvaging, keeping, buying or selling junk regardless of the length of time that junk is stored or kept, or for maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard, but shall not include garbage dumps or county- operated sanitary landfills. Public Road: Any road or highway which is now or hereafter designated and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation as part of the State Highway System, whether primary or secondary, and any road which is a neighborhood public road as defined in North Carolina General Statute Section 136-67. Repair Shop: An establishment which is maintained and operated for the primary purpose of making mechanical and/or body repairs to motor vehicles and which receives fifty percent or more of its gross income from charges made for such repairs. School: Any public or private institution for teaching which is recognized and approved by the State of North Carolina. Service Station: An establishment which is maintained and operated for the primary purpose of making retail sales of fuels, lubricants, air, water, and other items for the operation and routine maintenance of motor vehicles and/or for making mechanical repairs, servicing and/or washing of motor vehicles, and which receives more than fifty percent of its gross income from the retail sale of this aforesaid items and/or from the making of mechanical repairs, servicing and/or washing of motor vehicles. Solid Fence: A continuous, opaque, unperforated barrier extending from the surface of the grounds to a uniform height of not less than six (6) feet from the ground at any given point, constructed of dirt, wood, stone, steel, or other metal, or any substance of a similar nature and strength. Vegetation: Evergreen trees, including, but not limited to, white pine and/or hemlock, evergreen shrubs or plants with a minimum height of six (6) inches when planted, which reach a height of at least six (6) feet of maturity. Visible: Capable of being seen without visual aid by a person of normal visual acuity. Wire Fence: A continuous, translucent, perforated barrier extending from the surface of the ground to a uniform height of not less than six (6) feet from the group at any given point, constructed of wire, steel or nylon mesh, or any substance of a similar nature and strength, but which perforations or openings are no larger than sixteen (16) square inches. 205 SECTION FOUR. PROHIBITIONS All commercial junkyards or automobile graveyards except as hereinafter provided shall be unlawful after the effective date of this Ordinance for any person, firm or corporation, or other legal entity to operate or maintain in any unincorporated area of Person County a junkyard or automobile graveyard without first obtaining a license to operate same and without maintaining screening from view as hereafter described. SECTION FIVE. SCREENING All commercial junkyards or automobile graveyards operated and/or maintained in Person County shall be fenced at all points where said fencing shall be necessary to screen the view of persons from public roads, schools, or housing units, and where such screening is not already substantially provided by natural vegetation, or other natural barriers. The fence shall be wire fence used in conjunction with vegetation or a solid fence. If a wire fence with vegetation is used, the plants shall be planted on at least one side of the wire fence and as close as practical to said fence. Vegetation shall be planted at intervals evenly spaced and in close proximity to each other so that a continuous, unbroken hedgerow will exist to a height of at least six (6) feet along the links of the wire fence surrounding the junkyard or automobile graveyard when the vegetation reaches maturity. Each owner, operator or maintainer of a junkyard or automobile graveyard to which this Ordinance applies and who chooses to use vegetation with wire fence, shall utilize good husbandry techniques with respect to said vegetation, including but not limited to, proper pruning, proper fertilizer and proper mulching, so that the vegetation will reach maturity as soon as practical and will have maximum density in foliage. Dead or diseased vegetation shall be replaced at the next appropriate planting time, and the fence, or wire fence and vegetation, shall be maintained in good condition. All wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled or inoperable motor vehicles and junk shall be stored inside said fence. SECTION SIX. APPLICABILITY This Ordinance applies to all residential zoned properties and uses and applies to junk as defined in this Ordinance from an adjacent property, and/or road. This Ordinance applies to all commercial and industrial uses on properties that abut residential and public uses and apples to junk and abandoned vehicles as defined in this Ordinance that is visible from an adjacent property, and/or public road. SECTION SEVEN. EXCEPTIONS A. Ordinance shall not apply to residential properties that are not visible from residential or public uses (schools, playgrounds) on adjacent properties or from public roads. B. Ordinance shall not apply to service stations or repair shops unless said service station or repair shop has on or inoperable motor vehicles which are not being restored to operation. C. This ordinance shall not apply to bona fide farm properties as defined by NCGS §153A-340. 206 D. Automobile graveyards or junkyards existing at the effective date of this Ordinance which would be in violation of this Ordinance shall be granted a grace period of four (4) months to conform to the provisions of this Ordinance, thereafter same shall be subject to the provisions of this Ordinance. E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to material which is being used in connection with a construction activity taking place on the premises provided the construction activity associated with an active permit, is being diligently pursued, and com- plies with applicable ordinances and codes. SECTION EIGHT. PENALTIES A. Criminal Penalty. Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who maintains or operates or who controls the maintenance of a junkyard or automobile graveyard in violation of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to prosecution, and if convicted, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50 or by imprisonment not to exceed thirty ( 30) days, or both, in the discretion of the Court. Each day that said automobile graveyard or junkyard shall be maintained or operated in violation of this Ordinance shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. B. Civil Penalties. In addition to the criminal sanctions as herein set out, as provided by North Carolina General Statute 153A-123 (d), and (e), this Ordinance may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy issuing from a court of competent jurisdiction or by injunction and order of abatement. C. The Person County Planner shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this Ordinance and may take informal measures to procure compliance from any person deemed by the planner or his representative to be in violation. If such informal measures fail to cause compliance, the planner shall be responsible for obtaining warrants or instigating civil remedies for violations of this Ordinance. D. This Ordinance may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy, including temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and permanent injunction was issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. E. Pursuant to NCGS §153A-140.2, the County Planning Director may issue annual notice to chronic violators. The County may notify a chronic violator of the County's public nuisance ordinance that, if the violator's property is found to be in violation of the ordinance, the county shall, without further notice in the calendar year in which notice is given, take action to remedy the violation, and the expense of the action shall become a lien upon the property and shall be collected as unpaid taxes. F. Appeals 1.) Unless the owner is a chronic violator, an owner who has received a violation notice under this section may appeal from the order to the Board of Commissioners by giving written notice of appeal to the Planning Department and to the clerk within 10 days following the day the order is issued. In the absence of an appeal, the order of the Planning Director is final. 207 2.) Without exception, the County may notify a chronic violator of the county's public nuisance ordinance that, if the viola- tor's property is found to be in violation of the ordinance, the county shall, without further notice in the calendar year in which notice is given, take action to remedy the violation, and the expense of the action shall become a lien upon the property and shall be collected as unpaid taxes. The notice shall be sent by certified mail. SECTION NINE. LICENSING Any person, firm, corporation, or other organization desiring to operate, or continue to operate a junkyard or automobile graveyard after the adoption of this Ordinance shall be required to obtain a license to operate same from the Person County Planner. The application for license shall be in writing and contain such information that, in the discretion of the County Planner, is needed to guarantee that the operation is, or shall be, in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. The County Planner shall issue a license to operate to each applicant, upon payment of a license fee of $50.00, unless it appears that said operation is or shall be in violation of this Ordinance. The County Planner shall have the authority to revoke the license or any person, firm, corporation, or other organization who fails to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance. SECTION TEN. SIGNAGE All commercial junkyards and automobile graveyards operated and maintained in Person County shall be identified at the entrance to said facility by a sign not less than fifteen (15) square feet in area. SECTION ELEVEN. PROCESS Complaints shall be submitted by residents and investigated by the Planning Department; upon determining that a violation of this ordinance exists, the Planning Department shall issue written notice to the registered owner, lessee, or person(s) entitled to the land. The notice shall be provided by registered or certified mail. The notice shall: 1. Identify the property and describe the violation located thereon to be removed, abated, or remedied; 2. State that the costs incurred by the county for chronic offenders to remove, abate, or remedy the violation, if not paid by the violator(s), shall be subject to NCGS §153A-140.2 for chronic offenses. 3. If the violation is not removed, abated or remedied within thirty (30) days of the initial notice, and an appeal has not been filed, a second notice shall be issued. The notice shall: 4. Direct that the violation be removed, abated or remedied; 208 5. Advise that the property must comply by a specific date thirty (30) days from the certified mailing date of the second notice; 6. Advise that civil penalties, are being accessed daily as of the date of the second notice; and, 7. Advise that in addition to any and remedies above, the Person County Board of Commissioners may request criminal penalties in accordance with this Ordinance. SECTION TWELVE. EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall become effective the 6th day of April 2015 and supersedes any previous versions of the ordinance. Adopted, this, the 6th day of April 2015. ________________________________________ ____________________________ Kyle Puryear, Chairman Date Person County Board of Commissioners Attested by: ___________________________________________ Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Person County Board of Commissioners 209 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Review of the Senior Center Site Options Summary of Information: At the Board’s March 16th meeting, Brockwell Associates presented four options for the Board’s consideration for the construction of a senior center. These options included: Option 1: Hotel Lot new construction of 12,000 sf on existing vacant hotel lot $2.35M Option 1a: Hotel Lot new construction of 12,000sf designed to mimic old hotel $2.35M Option 2: Renovate Existing Senior Building (2 Story, 12,000sf) $2.52M Option 3: New Construction on Existing Senior Lot (2 Story, 12,000sf) $2.61M Option 4: New Construction of an Addition plus Renovation of 6,000sf of existing: $2.27M for 12,000sf $2.511M for 14,000sf $3.11M for 18,000sf Recommended Action: Discuss the information and direct staff on how the Board would like to proceed. Submitted By: Heidi York, County Manager; Ray Foushee, General Services Director 210 211 212 213 214 215 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Request for Continued Financial Assistance towards the Senior Center Rent Summary of Information: The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) is requesting continued assistance from the County towards the Senior Center rent at The Perfect Venue. For the past twelve months, Person County Government has contributed $600 per month towards the monthly rent of $1700. The City of Roxboro also contributed $600 per month and the COG contributes $500 per month. The COG has signed a 24 month lease beginning April 1, 2015 through March of 2017. The rent remains at $1700 per month. The request is for continued support of $600 per month through this lease period. This request was also presented to the City and they agreed to fund this through the end of June with intentions of discussing the funding during their budget deliberations for FY16. Attached is a letter from the Director of the COG outlining their request. The County also provides an annual appropriation of $100,000 towards operating expenses for the Senior Center. Recommended Action: Receive the request and direct staff on the desire of the Board to continue providing rental assistance. Submitted By: Heidi York, County Manager 216 PO Box 709 • 1724 Graham Avenue • Henderson, NC 27536 • Phone (252) 436-2040 • Toll Free (866) 506-6223 • Fax (252) 436-2055 Region K Community Assistance Corporation March 10, 2015 Ms. Heidi York, Manager Person County 304 S. Morgan Street Roxboro, NC 27573 Dear Heidi, On behalf of the Region K Community Assistance Corporation, I would like to request continued rental assistance in the amount of $600 monthly for the Person County Senior Center located at 309 Long Avenue, Roxboro. The rental assistance is requested for the timeframe of April, 2015 through March, 2017. Monthly rental for the Center will remain at $1,700 a month for 24 months beginning April 1, 2015. I am once again requesting assistance from both Person County and the City of Roxboro with the monthly rental costs. Region K Community Assistance Corporation will also pay a portion of the rental expense. The Person County Senior Center could not have continued to operate over the past twelve months without the assistance of Person County Government. The rental assistance has ensured that no drastic cuts in services to seniors were required AND the use of county facilities for our activities has allowed us to grow many of our programs. Again, thank you for your support of the Person County Senior Center. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Diane Diane Cox, Executive Director Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments Region K Community Assistance Corporation 217 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Consideration to abolish the special Board of Equalization and Review for 2015 and forward Summary of Information: The Person County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution establishing a special Board of Equalization and Review on January 7, 2013, and amended the resolution on January 22, 2013 (adding 3 alternate members). Both resolutions were passed by a unanimous vote. Members were appointed for 4 year terms. Person County joined the majority of counties when this special board was created (62 counties out of 100 are currently utilizing a special Board of Equalization and Review). After the creation of the special Board of Equalization and Review, the Person County Tax Office and the North Carolina Department of Revenue held a training session for all members. The meeting was held on April 11, 2013 and was recorded by Person County Information Technology. The training is available on-line at http://www.personcounty.net for your review. The newly created Board of Equalization and Review met beginning April 22, 2013 with 100% attendance. This board had 23 meetings in 2013, amounting to over 80 hours in meeting time alone, and heard over 500 appeals. Their final meeting for 2013 was completed on July 18, 2013. The appeals for 2014 were much less, with only 26 appeals. This was to be expected, since most appeals occur during a revaluation year. North Carolina General Statute 105-322(a) allows for the creation of a special Board of Equalization and Review if a resolution is adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on or before the first Monday in March. While there is a specific deadline for establishing the special Board of Equalization and Review, there is no deadline for abolishing the special board; this can be done at anytime, with the adoption of a new resolution. Some reasons to consider abolishing this special Board of Equalization and Review: 1. Fewer Appeals. There could be fewer appeals since this is non-revaluation year. 2. Consistency. There could be more consistency since there will not be alternate members involved (same 5 commissioners will hear all appeals). 218 3. Savings. Since the special Board of Equalization and Review members were reimbursed either $50 or $150 per meeting, this expense can be eliminated from the tax office budget. The member reimbursement for 2013 was $12,800 and for 2014 was $1,150. If adopted, the Board of Commissioners will also need to determine the following: a. First meeting date. This meeting must be advertised at least 10 days prior to the first meeting date, according to NCGS 105-322(f). If determined tonight, the opening meeting must be no earlier than April 20th and must be no later than May 4th. At best, there is only a 14 day window remaining to have the opening meeting for the Board of Equalization and Review. b. Date to adjourn for accepting new appeals. The Board must set a date to adjourn for accepting new appeals. It is recommended that the appeal window be open for 2 weeks in a non-revaluation year, and the Board must be in session in order to adjourn for the acceptance of new appeals. This will need to be a set time and date and must also be advertised. It would be acceptable to hear appeals at that time also. c. Hearing Dates. After adjourning for the acceptance of new appeals, the Board may need to set up times for all timely filed appeals to be heard. The adjournment under item b is only for the filing of the appeals. Appeals that were timely filed can be heard at a later date, but should be finished by July 1st in a non-revaluation year. e. Scheduling. The Board will need to determine the time allotment for each taxpayer for scheduling purposes. The special Board of Equalization and Review allowed 15 minutes per taxpayer, with 5 additional minutes if the taxpayer appealed additional parcels. This is not a requirement, but this is much more taxpayer friendly than having all appeals scheduled at the same time and having taxpayers waiting for hours. The tax office will notify the taxpayers of their designated time and accept 7 copies of all evidence from the taxpayer, along with their appeal form, and have these available for the meeting. f. Location. The Board will need to determine where the meetings will be held. Before the special Board of Equalization and Review was established, the meetings were held in the Commissioner's Board Room, the meetings were streamed live, and also posted to the county website. If held at this location, taxpayers that appeal without an appointment may have to be rescheduled, since the tax office records will be located at a different location. An alternate location would be the tax office conference room, which was utilized by the special Board of Equalization and Review for 2013 and 2014. Recommended Action: Adopt resolution and select meeting dates, if appropriate. Submitted By: Mr. Kyle W. Puryear, Chairman; and Russell Jones, Tax Administrator 219 RESOLUTION ABOLISHING A SPECIAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW FOR PERSON COUNTY WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 105-322, has authorized the Board of County Commissioners of the respective counties within the State to appoint a special Board of Equalization and Review to carry out the duties imposed under Article 21 or the Machinery Act of North Carolina as revised in 1977; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners did in fact create such a special Board of Equalization and Review in compliance with North Carolina General Statute 105-322(a) on January 2, 2013, and later revised such board on January 22, 2013; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 105-322(a) authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to abolish this special Board of Equalization and Review at any time and without cause; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Person County to abolish this special Board of Equalization and Review. NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR PERSON COUNTY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: 1. This special Board of Equalization and Review is hereby abolished for Person County, effective immediately for all property tax appeals. 2. The duties of this special Board of Equalization and Review shall be relinquished to the Person County Board of County Commissioners, and shall be governed and limited by North Carolina General Statute 105-322 and the North Carolina Machinery Act. 3. The Person County Board of Commissioners, sitting as the Person County Board of Equalization and Review, shall hear all tax appeals for the tax year 2015 and forward. 4. The chairman of the Person County Board of Commissioners shall be the chairman of the Board of Equalization and Review. 5. All appeals from the Person County Board of Commissioners, sitting as the Person County Board of Equalization and Review, shall be to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission as provided by the North Carolina Machinery Act. 6. The members of the Person County Board of Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Equalization and Review, shall not be reimbursed for the duties of the Board of Equalization and Review. 7. This resolution shall be effective upon its adoption. Adopted this 6th day of April, 2015. _______________________________ Kyle W. Puryear, Chairman Attest: _______________________________ Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board 220 221 AGENDA ABSTRACT Meeting date: April 6, 2015 Agenda Title: Recommended Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2016-2020 Summary of Information: The CIP is a planning tool for implementing large, capital projects. The CIP includes projects costing $50,000 or greater from county departments, Piedmont Community College and Person County Schools. This document paves the way for the Recommended Budget as it will provide an estimate of funding needed for capital projects and projects impacts on operating costs as well. These capital projects span the next five fiscal years with the upcoming fiscal year (FY16) being the only year where a funding commitment is needed. The CIP is scheduled to be adopted at the Board’s meeting on April 20, 2015. It is being presented for discussion and direction from the Board. Recommended Action: Discuss the CIP and provide staff with feedback. Submitted By: Heidi York, County Manager and Amy Wehrenberg, Finance Director 222 Person County, North Carolina Person County Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020 Recommended Heidi York, County Manager Sybil Tate, Assistant County Manager Amy Wehrenberg, Finance Director April 6, 2015 223 224 Person County, North Carolina Capital Improvement Plan Table of Contents Manager’s Letter to the Board of Commissioners ............................................ 1-2 Objectives and Procedures for the CIP .................................................................3 Criteria for Project Priority .....................................................................................4 Summary of Completed Projects for FY 2015 .......................................................5 Status of Ongoing Projects for FY 2015 ................................................................6 Recommended Projects (By Year) .................................................................... 7-8 Projects Not Recommended ........................................................................... 9-10 Funding Schedule ......................................................................................... 11-13 Set Aside Funds for Future Years ....................................................................... 14 Graph-Revenue Sources ..................................................................................... 15 Graph-Projects by Function ................................................................................. 16 Graph-Projects by Type ...................................................................................... 17 Person County’s Debt Service ...................................................................... 18-20 Future Debt Service Payments ........................................................................... 21 225 PERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER 304 South Morgan Street, Room 212 Roxboro, NC 27573-5245 336-597-1720 Fax 336-599-1609 April 6, 2015 Dear Person County Board of Commissioners: I am pleased to present Person County’s Fiscal Years 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is an important planning tool for our County and is intended to reflect the priorities of the Board of County Commissioners in terms of capital needs and spending over the next five years. In addition to projects for Person County Government, this Plan also incorporates the needs of our partner agencies- both Person County Schools and Piedmont Community College (PCC) - given that counties are statutorily responsible for the provision of educational facilities. To that end, we have taken a proactive approach towards managing both the costs and timing of maintenance projects; namely roofs and windows. We are in our fifth year of implementing a comprehensive roofing assessment for all three entities and our third year of a windows replacement plan primarily for the Person County Schools. The development of this Plan takes into account many factors including the current economic and fiscal climate, the logistical and financial constraints, as well as competing demands and priorities for county funds. The most critical capital needs are those that address a life, safety issue. Once those are known, we work towards a balance of needs and priorities within our logistical and financial constraints. This Plan identifies the anticipated funding sources needed to meet these priorities. Although the projects in this Plan span the next five years, the fiscal effects extend far beyond, particularly projects that will be financed for which the County will incur debt service payments typically over a fifteen to twenty year period. Therefore, the full array of funding sources needed to support the projects, as well as potential impacts to future operating budgets are also presented. The Board of Commissioners reviews the five year CIP every year, but only funds the projects on an annual fiscal year basis. County Fund Balance is a typical and appropriate funding source for the CIP. However, the Board of Commissioners has prioritized a reduction in the use of Fund Balance as that resource has become constrained through its use of operating and recurring expenses over the past several years. The Board has also prioritized several large capital projects to finance in FY15-16 including the construction of a new senior center at an estimated cost of $2.9M and the purchase and up-fit of the Roxboro Little League ballpark projected to cost $560,000. I am recommending that most other major capital needs be deferred into future years to allow the Board to maintain and in some cases increase operations funding, which has been expressed as a priority by the Board as well. The projects recommended to be funded for FY16 total $5.73M. Of this amount, $5.12M will be financed and supported by debt proceeds including General Obligation Bonds for the proposed Senior Center. This updated FY 2016-2020 CIP includes new roofing projects to be financed: Huck Sansbury ($285,189); South Elementary ($268,991); Woodland Elementary ($149,156); Oak Lane Elementary ($207,532); as well as a chiller replacement for Southern Middle School ($300,000) and window replacements at North End Elementary ($329,643) which are also included as part of the financing 1 226 package. Lottery funds will fund a new roof for the Alternative School ($69,781). In addition, other projects proposed for next Fiscal Year 2016 are a chiller replacement for the Law Enforcement Center at $150,000; mandated voting equipment at a cost of $247,400; the second of three payments on a telephone system for county operations for $70,000. Piedmont Community College has an update to their master plan ($50,000) and dining facility equipment upgrades ($20,000). An important element of this CIP is a debt analysis summary, as well as a table and graph showing the future debt service levels for Person County Government. Comparing Person County’s debt service levels with counties benchmarked with our population size indicate that our debt is well below those averages. The spreadsheets and graph illustrate Person County’s ability to take on additional debt payments in the future. Debt Service take a precipitous drop in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2016 even with the proposed financings planned. This sharp drop in debt service is not viewed favorably by financial analysts and bond rating agencies who recommend a steady level of debt with little deviation in either direction. Sharp changes can signal poor planning on a county’s behalf and suggest inefficient use of financing tools. This is something that needs to be considered as projects are evaluated within this CIP. Please keep in mind that this Capital Improvement Plan is just that- a plan, and while a great deal of effort and analysis have gone into this, it offers a starting point for annual comparisons, fiscal changes, unforeseen needs, and a place where public discussion can begin. The CIP will continue to be reviewed throughout the year, presenting any recommended changes to the Board for consideration. This review is critical as new information about our capital needs, our fiscal health, financing tools, and existing project scheduling arises. Person County Government takes great care and pride in being fiscally responsible in providing services. This Capital Improvement Plan is indicative of our commitment to provide residents with not only sustainable infrastructure, but improvements and enhancements to our community and quality of life. County staff looks forward to working with the Board of County Commissioners and our community as we implement the Fiscal Year 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Plan. Sincerely, Heidi N. York County Manager 2 227 Person County, North Carolina Capital Improvement Plan Objectives of a CIP: · Create a plan to organize long term capital needs in a manner to promote discussion regarding priority, feasibility, timing, potential costs, financing options and future budgetary effect. · Limit projects to those costing $50,000 and over in the plan. · Present an overview of requests submitted by Person County departments, Piedmont Community College and Public Schools. · Facilitate the exchange of information and coordination between the County, the community college and the schools on capital planning. Steps in developing a CIP: · Determine capital needs for all departments and certain County-funded agencies. · Review priorities and assess proposed capital projects in relationship to these priorities. · Make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on a project’s timing, priority and possible financing options. Categories of projects: Person County Government Piedmont Community College Public Schools · Each project includes a description, a timeline for construction and operating costs, and the current status. · Also included are graphs that summarize revenue sources, projects by function, projects by type, and outstanding debt. 3 228 Person County, North Carolina Capital Improvement Plan Criteria in determining project status: Safety · Is public health or safety a critical factor with regard to this project? · What are the consequences if not approved? Mandate · Is the project required by legal mandates? · Is the project needed to bring the County into compliance with any laws or regulations? Timing and Linkages · What is the relationship to other projects, either ongoing or requested? · Does the project relate to a County-adopted plan or policy? Economic Impact · Will this project promote economic development or otherwise raise the standard of living for our citizens? Efficiencies · Will this project increase productivity or service quality, or respond to a demand for service? · Are there any project alternatives? Service Impact · Will this project provide a critical service or improve the quality of life for our citizens? · How will this project improve services to citizens and other service clients? · How would delays in starting the project affect County services? Operating Budget Impact · What is the possibility of cost escalation over time? · Will this project reduce annual operating costs in some manner? · What would be the impact upon the annual operating budget and future operating budgets? Debt Management · What types of funding sources are available? · How reliable is the funding source recommended for the project? · How would any proposed debt impact the County’s debt capacity? · Does the timing of the proposed construction correspond to the availability of funding? 4 229 Person County, North Carolina Capital Improvement Plan Summary of Completed Projects for FY 2015 Person County: Financing issuance cost: PCRC Purchase & Various Roofing Project - $60,606 Public Schools: Window Replacements: Oak Lane Elementary - $83,582 5 230 Person County, North Carolina Capital Improvement Plan Status of Ongoing Projects for FY 2015 Person County Government: New Telephone System ($90,000) – This project spans three years. The final payment on the lease agreement will be made in 2017. The total project’s cost is $235,229. New Roof – Kirby Civic Auditorium ($335,562) – Completion is set for the end of March 2015. Project is estimated to come in under budget. Upgrade Controls System at LEC ($200,000) – The last bid has been received and the project will be awarded to a vendor soon. This project is scheduled for completion by July 1, 2015. Voting Equipment ($56,795) – IT and Elections staff are gathering quotes for the new voting equipment. The purchase will be made by July 2015. Purchase and Renovation of PCRC ($1,417,050) – The purchase has been completed and renovations are 60% complete. Roof is 95% complete. This project is scheduled for completion by Sept. 1, 2015. Contingency for PCRC renovation ($30,000) –Staff is uncertain at this time if contingency funds will be needed to complete these projects. PCC: Campus Sidewalks Upgrade ($80,000) –This project is 55% complete and anticipated to be completed in April 2015. Public Schools: New Roof - Earl Bradsher ($547,388) – A vendor has been selected and will begin in April; should be complete by July 2015. 6 231 Person County Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020 Recommended Projects YEAR DEPT PROJECT TITLE TOTAL COST PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2016 IT Telephone System 70,000 The County's phone system is outdated and the vendor no longer provides maintenance or repair for this type of system. Payments span over a three year period; total cost is $217,000. General Services New roof - Huck Sansbury 285,189 As recommended in the Roofing Study. General Services Issuance Costs - various re-roofing & equipment upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition/ Improvmts 59,989 Financing costs associated with various roofing projects, equipment upgrades and the Roxplex acquisition and improvements. General Services Chiller replacement - LEC 150,000 Replacement of the Law Enforcement Center's chiller system. Elections Voting equipment 247,400 Includes purchasing tabulators and AutoMark machines. The tabulators and the AutoMark machines are needed for 2016. Rec, Arts & Parks Senior Center 2,900,000 Construction of a new Senior Center in Uptown Roxboro. Includes architectural and engineering costs. Rec, Arts & Parks Issuance costs - Senior Center 60,000 Financing costs associated with the Senior Center project. Rec, Arts & Parks Roxplex Acquisition/Improvement 559,500 Purchase and upgrades to the Roxplex Little League facility. PCC Master Plan Update/Feasibility Study 50,000 The Master Plan was last updated in 2008 and needs to be updated to reflect economic changes. Once the master plan is updated, a feasibility study will be conducted for the Allied Health Building and an additional access route. PCC Dining Facility Equipment Upgrades 20,000 Dining facility equipment does not allow for expanded food service. Payments span a three year period; total cost is $60,000. Public Schools New roof - VFW 69,781 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Public Schools New roof - South Elementary 268,991 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Public Schools New roof - Woodland Elementary 149,156 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Public Schools New roof - Oak Lane Elementary 207,532 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Public Schools Chiller replacement- SMS 300,000 Chiller is 20 years old and in need of major repairs. Cost of repair is not justifiable, considering the age of the chiller. Public Schools Window Replacements - North End 329,643 As recommended in the Window Study. 2017 IT Telephone System 75,229 The County's phone system is outdated and the vendor no longer provides maintenance or repair for this type of system. Payments span over a three year period; total cost is $217,000. Public Safety Public Safety Communication System 3,587,350 Construct 3 towers to provide 95% coverage for public safety departments. Public Safety Broadband equipment 88,650 Broadband equipment to provide service to unserved areas. PI/PCRC PCRC/PI Merger 683,500 Merge PI and PCRC into one building. Includes moving costs and upgrades to the interior of the facility to increase efficiencies. Construction of roof for outside storage and 5,000 sq ft of conditioned space for PI employees. PCC New roof - Building D and walkways 226,156 As recommended in the Roofing Study. PCC Upgrade campus-wide HVAC 100,000 Controls are outdated and it is difficult to maintain/replace parts. PCC Dining Facility Equipment Upgrades 20,000 Dining facility equipment does not allow for expanded food service. Payments span a three year period; total cost is $60,000. PCC New Allied Health Building (infrastructure) 100,000 PCC will grow in the areas of Allied Health and Workforce training. New buildings need to be built for these programs. Roads, water, and sewer need to be extended to this property. Payments span a four year period; total cost is $1.25M. Public Schools New roof- North Elementary 223,925 As recommended in the Roofing Study. 7 232 Person County Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020 Recommended Projects YEAR DEPT PROJECT TITLE TOTAL COST PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2018 General Services New roof- EMS 147,419 As recommended in the Roofing Study. General Services New roof- Elections/IT 100,479 As recommended in the Roofing Study. General Services New roof - Library 72,986 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Library Southern Satellite at Helena 368,500 Renovate FFA building on Old Helena School campus to create a new library branch. Rec, Arts & Parks Recreation Center 3,040,000 Construct a Recreation Center. Rec, Arts & Parks Light Replacement 100,000 This project spans three years; total cost is $300K. Current system is 25+ yrs old. Airport Hangar Construction 800,000 The Airport Commission has recommended construction of a new hangar. PCC New roof- Bldg. L 110,642 As recommended in the Roofing Study. PCC Upgrade campus-wide HVAC 100,000 Controls are outdated and it is difficult to maintain/replace parts. PCC Dining Facility Equipment Upgrades 20,000 Dining facility equipment does not allow for expanded food service. Payments span a three year period; total cost is $60,000. PCC New Allied Health Building (infrastructure) 100,000 PCC will grow in the areas of Allied Health and Workforce training. New buildings need to be built for these programs. Roads, water, and sewer need to be extended to this property. Payments span a four year period; total cost is $1.25M. Public Schools Valve Replacement - South Elementary 105,000 Valves are failing, causing heating and cooling issues in the school. 2019 Rec, Arts & Parks ADA Accessibility for Park Facilities 60,000 Improve ADA accessible parking and routes to access park amenities. Rec, Arts & Parks Light Replacement- Bushy Fork Park 52,490 Replace Bushy Fork's ball field lights. Current lighting system uses oil-based transformers and poses safety problems. Rec, Arts & Parks Kirby Auditorium- seating replacement 85,000 Current seating at the Kirby is very outdated and in some cases pose a hazard for the patrons visiting to watch shows. The current theater seating was last replaced in the late 70's. Rec, Arts & Parks Light Replacement 100,000 This project spans three years; total cost is $300K. Current system is 25+ yrs. old. PCC Upgrade campus-wide HVAC 100,000 Controls are outdated and it is difficult to maintain/replace parts. PCC New Allied Health Building (infrastructure) 400,000 PCC will grow in the areas of Allied Health and Workforce training. New buildings need to be built for these programs. Roads, water, and sewer need to be extended to this property. Payments span a four year period; total cost is $1.25M. Public Schools Chiller Replacement- PHS 325,000 Chiller is 23+ years old and is coming to the end of life for this unit. 2020 General Services New Roof- Courthouse 120,471 As recommended in the Roofing Study. General Services New Roof - Museum complex and assoc. buildings 327,306 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Rec, Arts & Parks Light Replacement 100,000 This project spans three years; total cost is $300K. Current system is 25+ yrs. old. PCC New Allied Health Building (infrastructure) 650,000 PCC will grow in the areas of Allied Health and Workforce training. New buildings need to be built for these programs. Roads, water, and sewer need to be extended to this property. Payments span a four year period; total cost is $1.25M. Public Schools New roof - Southern Middle 52,033 As recommended in the Roofing Study. Public Schools New roof - Early Intervention 188,164 As recommended in the Roofing Study. 8 233 Person County Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020 Projects Not Recommended DEPT PROJECT TITLE TOTAL COST PROJECT DESCRIPTION/REASON FOR NOT RECOMMENDING General Services New Roof - Museum, concession stands 64,764 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. General Services New Roof - Misc. small roofs (airport, Mayo, Museum, etc)217,639 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. General Services New Roof - Animal Services 199,255 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. General Services New Roof - Grounds maintenance, concessions 77,144 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. General Services New Roof - Inspections 117,614 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. General Services Replace carpet & tile (PCOB)124,350 Replace BOE carpet and first floor tile in PCOB. First floor tile replacement incorporated into operating budget. General Services New Roof - Helena School Complex 1,076,099 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Rec, Arts & Parks Olive Hill Restroom Project 55,000 Includes construction of outdoor restrooms at Olive Hill. Not recommended at this time. Rec, Arts & Parks Outdoor Multi-Purpose Courts 60,000 Includes additional multi-use courts at Olive Hill, Allensville, Hurdle Mills, Bushy Fork and Bethel Hill. The Roxplex will provide additional recreational opportunities, so this project is not needed at this time. Rec, Arts & Parks Gym renovations (Huck Sansbury, O.H., Helena)65,000 Includes painting, floor restoration, new fixtures, and bathroom upgrades to meet ADA standards. These are ongoing maintenance costs and have been moved to the operating budget. Rec, Arts & Parks Score Board Replacements and Repairs 65,000 Includes replacing and upgrading scoreboards at all recreational locations. These are ongoing maintenance costs and have been moved to the operating budget. PCC Architectural Plans for Building A Upgrade 75,000 This study would include renovation and expansion of Building A that would allow for additional office and meeting space. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. PCC Architectural Plans for Building D Upgrade (Barnette Auditorium)75,000 Includes updated lighting, HVAC, seating, desks and new finishes. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. PCC Architectural Plans for Upgrade of BDEC 75,000 Includes renovation of the upstairs of the BDEC building to incorporate the Work Force Development Training Center. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. PCC Construct covered walkways 205,000 Construct a covered walkway from Building A to Building S. Not recommended at this time. PCC Building A Upgrades 250,000 Includes improvements to offices and meeting spaces. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. PCC Building D Upgrades 250,000 Includes improvements to the auditorium, classrooms, bathrooms and office areas. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. PCC BDEC Upgrades 250,000 Includes installing an elevator, staircase and improvements to upstairs. The results of the Master Plan may impact this project, so it is not recommended at this time. 9 234 Person County Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020 Projects Not Recommended DEPT PROJECT TITLE TOTAL COST PROJECT DESCRIPTION/REASON FOR NOT RECOMMENDING Public Schools New Roof - Helena Elementary 1,644,232 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Public Schools New Roof - School Maintenance 296,358 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Public Schools New Roof - School Bus Garage 269,826 As recommended in the roofing study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Public Schools Window Replacements - North End Elementary 329,643 As recommended in the window study. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Public Schools Upper Tennis Courts-PHS 200,000 Replace upper tennis courts. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. Public Schools Artificial Turf- PHS 165,000 Replace football field turf with artificial surface. Not recommended at this time due to more critical needs. 10 235 Person County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2016-2020 Recommended - Funding Schedule Revenues: County Contribution 202,975 237,400 1,328,810 1,246,026 1,272,490 1,202,244 5,489,945 CIP Project Fund Balance 438,820 300,000 100,000 65,000 236,000 1,139,820 Airport Construction Fund Balance 800,000 800,000 Debt Proceeds - PCRC Acquisition/Improvements and Various Re-roofing 2,360,000 2,360,000 Debt Proceeds - Senior Center Project 2,960,000 2,960,000 Debt Proceeds - Various Re-roofing and Equipment Upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition/Improvements 2,160,000 2,160,000 Debt Proceeds - Public Safety Cell Towers 3,676,000 3,676,000 Debt Proceeds - Recreation Center Project 3,040,000 3,040,000 Lottery proceeds-VFW Roofing 69,781 69,781 Total Sources of Revenue:3,001,795 5,727,181 5,104,810 5,151,026 1,272,490 1,438,244 21,695,546 Project Costs for County: Current Year 2014-15 Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2018-19 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS Information Technology: Telephone System 90,000 70,000 75,229 235,229 General Services: New roof-Kirby Civic Auditorium 335,562 335,562 Upgrade controls system at LEC 200,000 200,000 New roof-Huck Sansbury (Annex & Workforce)285,189 285,189 Issuance Costs-Various Re-roofing and Equipment Upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition/Improvements 59,989 59,989 Chiller replacement - LEC 150,000 150,000 New roof-Emergency Medical Services 147,419 147,419 New roof-Board of Elections/IT 100,479 100,479 New roof - Library 72,986 72,986 New roof- Courthouse 120,741 120,741 New roof - Museum complex & associated buildings 327,306 327,306 Elections Voting Equipment 56,795 247,400 304,195 Emergency Management Services: Public Safety Towers 3,587,350 3,587,350 Broadband Equipment 88,650 88,650 Library Southern Satellite Library 368,500 368,500 Recreation, Arts & Parks: Senior Center Project 2,900,000 2,900,000 Issuance Costs-Senior Center Project 60,000 60,000 Roxplex Acquisition/Improvements 559,500 559,500 ADA Accessibility for Park facilities 60,000 60,000 Light Replacement - Bushy Fork Park 52,490 52,490 Recreation Center Project 3,040,000 3,040,000 Kirby Auditorium: seating replacements 85,000 85,000 Light Replacement - all parks 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 Person Industries/Material Recycling Center: PCRC Acquisition/Improvements 1,417,050 1,417,050 Issuance Costs-PCRC Acquisition/Improvements and Various Re-roofing 60,000 60,000 Contingency-PCRC Renovation 30,000 30,000 PCRC/PI Merger 683,500 683,500 Sources of Revenue for Project Costs: Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL REVENUE SOURCES Current Year 2014-15 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2018-19 11 236 Person County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2016-2020 Recommended - Funding Schedule Airport Construction Projects: Hangar construction 800,000 800,000 Set -asides for future projects 100,000 86,000 150,000 336,000 Total County Projects 2,289,407 4,332,078 4,434,729 4,715,384 447,490 548,047 16,767,135 Project Costs for PCC: Current Year 2014-15 Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2018-19 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS Piedmont Community College (PCC): Campus Sidewalks Upgrade 80,000 80,000 New roof-Bldg. D and walkways 226,156 226,156 New roof-L Building 110,642 110,642 Master Plan Update/Feasibility Study 50,000 50,000 Upgrade campus-wide HVAC 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 Dining Facility equipment upgrades 20,000 20,000 20,000 60,000 New Allied Health Building (Infrastructure)100,000 100,000 400,000 650,000 1,250,000 Set -asides for future projects - Total PCC 80,000 70,000 446,156 330,642 500,000 650,000 2,076,798 Project Costs for Public Schools: Current Year 2014-15 Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2018-19 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS Public Schools: New roof-Earl Bradsher Preschool 547,388 547,388 Window replacements-Oak Lane Elementary 85,000 85,000 New roof-VFW (Alternative School)69,781 69,781 New roof-South Elementary 268,991 268,991 New roof-Woodland Elementary 149,156 149,156 New roof-Oak Lane Elementary 207,532 207,532 Chiller replacement-Southern Middle School 300,000 300,000 Window replacements-North End Elementary 329,643 329,643 New Roof-North Elementary 223,925 223,925 Valve Replacement-South Elementary 105,000 105,000 Chiller replacement-PHS 325,000 325,000 New roof-Southern Middle School 52,033 52,033 New roof-Early Intervention 188,164 188,164 Set -asides for future projects - Total Public Schools Projects:632,388 1,325,103 223,925 105,000 325,000 240,197 2,851,613 Total Project Costs:3,001,795 5,727,181 5,104,810 5,151,026 1,272,490 1,438,244 21,695,546 12 237 Person County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2016-2020 Recommended - Funding Schedule Sources of Revenue for Operating Impact Costs: Current Year 2014-15 Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2018-19 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL REVENUE SOURCES General Fund Contribution 110,878 784,886 754,227 1,113,012 1,027,132 975,712 4,765,847 Fees (Southern Satellite Library)10,000 10,000 20,000 Fees (Roxplex Center)73,902 73,902 73,902 73,902 295,608 Fees (Recreation Center)100,000 100,000 200,000 Increase in PCRC/PI program revenues 52,000 52,000 52,000 156,000 Total Sources of Revenue for Operating Impact Costs 110,878 784,886 828,129 1,238,914 1,263,034 1,211,614 5,437,455 Operating Impact Costs: Current Year 2014-15 Budget Year 2015-16 Planning Year 2016-17 Planning Year 2017-18 Planning Year 2018-19 Planning Year 2019-20 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS Public Safety Tower Project 3,385 3,385 3,385 10,155 Broadband Equipment 23,550 49,810 23,550 96,910 Southern Satellite Library 75,100 75,100 150,200 Roxplex Center Project 806 80,919 80,919 80,919 80,919 324,482 PCRC building rent (26,751) (107,000) (107,000) (107,000) (107,000) (107,000) (561,751) PCRC/PI Merger efficiencies (40,000) (40,000) (40,000) (40,000) (160,000) Airport hangar construction 1,500 1,500 3,000 Debt Service impacts with proposed debt 137,629 891,080 870,660 1,251,800 1,225,580 1,197,710 5,574,459 Total Operating Impact Costs 110,878 784,886 828,129 1,238,914 1,263,034 1,211,614 5,437,455 Note: Items highlighted in blue and red are projects associated with a debt financing. 2014-15 PCRC Acquisition/Improvements and Various Re-roofing 2015-16 Senior Center Project 2015-16 Various Re-roofing and Equipment Upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition/Improvements 2016-17 Public Safety Tower Project 2017-18 Recreation Center Until more decisions are made, this project has been placed in the CIP to finance in FY 2017-18. The location and scope of this project is undetermined. The recommendation above assumes the use of the remaining GO Bond Issue of $3.04M. An extension of the G.O. Bond authority will be necessary if the Board of Commissioners wish to finance this project with the issuance of bonds. The extension will provide for 3 more years from November 8, 2015 to issue bonds for this purpose. The County entered into an installment purchase contract for $2.36 million on November 6, 2014 with BB&T to finance a portion of the cost of acquisition and land improvement of the Person County Recycling Center (PCRC); the re-roofing of Earl Bradsher Preschool; and the re-roofing of the Kirby Civic Auditorium. The Board of Commissioners are in negotiations with the City of Roxboro on several property options for the future location of the Senior Center. Final decisions about the scope of this project have not been made. Until further determined, the CIP grid above assumes a General Obligation Bond Issue to finance $2.96 million which would cover property acquisition, construction, and renovation for the purposes of providing improved Senior Center facilities. Since another financing is proposed in the same year for roofing and the Roxplex acquisition and improvements, other loan recommendations may be forthcoming to minimize the County's debt cost. The timing of when these two projects become "shovel-ready" will have a significant impact on the financing method recommended. Due to the large amount of roofing to be completed in accordance with the County's Roofing Study and the current condition of these roofs, a recommendation is included to finance this cost, as well as window replacements at North End Elementary, a boiler replacement at Southern Middle School, and the acquisition and improvements to the Roxplex property for $2.16 million. As stated above for the Senior Center financing, which is also proposed for 2015-16, determinations associated with this financing may be altered in an attempt to minimize the County's debt cost. Hired consultants conducted a feasibility study which resulted in the recommendation to construct three, 300 foot towers and installing Simulcast public safety communication equipment. It also included the cost of providing grant funds to a private broadband provider to hang broadband equipment on the towers for a total project cost of approximately $4M. The Commissioners approved $100,000 in the FY15 budget to pay for environmental studies to be conducted at the three potential tower locations. Currently, the environmental studies are underway and should be completed by the end of FY15. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2016. Loan terms and amounts are to be determined. 13 238 Set-Aside Amount Fiscal Year that project is recommended to take place Remaining Cost Current & Prior Years Chiller replacement - LEC 100,000$ 2016 50,000$ Upgrade campus-wide HVAC 100,000 2017 200,000 New roof-Board of Elections/IT 65,000 2018 35,479 Total 265,000$ Planning Year 2015-2016 (No set asides proposed in this year)-$ Planning Year 2016-2017 (No set asides proposed in this year)-$ Planning Year 2017-2018 New roof - Museum complex & associated buildings 86,000$ 2020 241,306$ Planning Year 2018-2019 New roof - Museum complex & associated buildings 100,000$ 2020 141,306$ New roof- Courthouse 50,000 2020 70,741 150,000$ Planning Year 2019-2020 (No set asides proposed in this year)-$ Note: The County implements a best practice approach for distributing the costs of capital projects to minimize the impact in any one fiscal year. This is accomplished by incrementally funding expensive projects over multiple fiscal years. The projects listed below are funded through set- aside funds leading up to the year in which the project will be completed, thus reducing the burden in that year. This is a proactive approach to planning and funding future capital needs as well as maximizing cash flow capacity. Set-Aside Funds for Future Years 14 239 Person County Capital Improvement Plan Recommended - Revenue Sources FY 2016 - 2020 Total % Revenue Sources Description Current Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Totals % of Total GF Fund Balance 202,975 237,400 1,328,810 1,246,026 1,272,490 1,202,244 5,489,945 25.3% CIP Project Fund Balance 438,820 300,000 100,000 65,000 - 236,000 1,139,820 5.3% Airport Capital Projects Fund Balance - - - 800,000 - - 800,000 3.7% Debt Proceeds 2,360,000 5,120,000 3,676,000 3,040,000 - - 14,196,000 65.4% Lottery Proceeds - 69,781 - - - - 69,781 0.3% Totals 3,001,795 5,727,181 5,104,810 5,151,026 1,272,490 1,438,244 21,695,546 100.0% GF Fund Balance 25.3% CIP Project Fund Balance 5.3% Airport Capital Projects Fund Balance 3.7% Debt Proceeds - 65.4% Lottery Proceeds - 0.3% 15 240 Person County Capital Improvement Plan Recommended - by Function FY 2016 - 2020 Total % CIP Projects by Function Description Current Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Totals % of Total General Government 782,357 3,772,578 75,229 406,884 150,000 448,047 5,635,095 26.0% Public Safety - - 3,676,000 - - - 3,676,000 16.9% Environmental Protection (Recycling Center) 1,507,050 - 683,500 - - - 2,190,550 10.1% Culture & Recreation - 559,500 - 3,508,500 297,490 100,000 4,465,490 20.6% Transportation (Airport) - - - 800,000 - - 800,000 3.7% Education - PCC 80,000 70,000 446,156 330,642 500,000 650,000 2,076,798 9.6% Education - Schools 632,388 1,325,103 223,925 105,000 325,000 240,197 2,851,613 13.1% Totals 3,001,795 5,727,181 5,104,810 5,151,026 1,272,490 1,438,244 21,695,546 100.0% General Government 26.0% Public Safety 16.9% Environmental Protection (Recycling Center) 10.1% Culture & Recreation 20.6% Transportation (Airport) 3.7% Education - PCC 9.6% Education - Schools 13.1% 16 241 Person County Capital Improvement Plan Recommended - by Type FY 2016 - 2020 Total % CIP Projects by Type Description Current Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Totals % of Total Construction/Renovation 1,507,050 3,519,500 4,370,850 4,308,500 400,000 650,000 14,755,900 68.0% Roofing Replacements 882,950 1,040,638 450,081 431,526 - 688,244 3,493,439 16.1% Equipment Upgrades 346,795 787,400 183,879 225,000 477,490 100,000 2,120,564 9.8% Other B&G Improvements 80,000 50,000 100,000 100,000 245,000 - 575,000 2.7% Window Replacements 85,000 329,643 - - - - 414,643 1.9% Set-Asides 100,000 - - 86,000 150,000 - 336,000 1.5% Totals 3,001,795 5,727,181 5,104,810 5,151,026 1,272,490 1,438,244 21,695,546 100.0% 68.0% 16.1% 9.8% 2.7% 1.9% 1.5% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% Construction/Renovation Roofing Replacements Equipment Upgrades Other B&G Improvements Window Replacements Set-Asides 17 242 Person County's Debt Service Current Debt Service Project Description Term Int Rate % Outstanding Balance Last Pyt Fiscal Year 2006 Various Roofing/Paving Re-roofing, paving and repaving certain school, community college and other public facilities; re-floor the gymnasium; construct new tennis courts at Person High School 15 years 3.86% $2,414,590 2021 2010 Courthouse Renovation & Various Roofing (BAB’s) Engineering and construction costs associated with the renovation of the Courthouse and some various re- roofing for certain school, community college and other public facilities; financed through Build America Bonds (BAB’s) yielding a 35% refund of the interest payments 10 years 4.08% 2,902,960 2021 2012 SMS & portion of PHS Re-roofing (QSCB) Re-roofing construction for Southern Middle School and a portion of Person High School; financed through a Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) yielding a 100% refund of the interest payments 15 years 3.93% 3,277,287 2028 2014 Capital Equipment Lease (Telephone Equipment) Replacement of primary phone system; financed as a capital equipment lease for a 3 year term 3 years 4.55% 145,229 2017 2015 PCRC Purchase/ Renovation & Various Roofing Projects Purchase, renovation and re-roofing of the existing Person County Recycling Facility, and re-roofing construction for the Kirby Civic Auditorium and Earl Bradsher Preschool 15 years 2.80% 2,639,540 2029 TOTAL DEBT SERVICE OUTSTANDING $11,379,606 18 243 Current Debt Analysis There are two standard ratios that measure debt service levels and the capacity for taking on additional debt. These ratios and their meaning for Person County are described below: · Debt to Assets Ratio: Measures leverage, the extent to which total assets are financed with long-term debt. The debt-to-assets ratio is calculated as long-term debt divided by total assets. A high debt to assets ratio may indicate an over-reliance on debt for financing assets, and a low ratio may indicate a weak management of reserves. At FY 2013, the debt to assets ratio for Person County was 27%, while counties with similar populations were at 51%. Although Person County was at the mid-range for the amount of total assets reported in comparison to these other counties, Person County had the 3rd lowest Debt to Assets Ratio, as well as the 5th lowest long term debt amount. A more applicable comparison may be to view the debt to assets ratio for Person County since FY 2010. As displayed in the following chart, Person County's debt to assets ratio has declined from 35% in FY 2010 to 21% in FY 2014. This reduction can likely be attributed to conservative spending in uncertain economic conditions and the attempt to build-up of reserves during this five year period. This increase in the County's cash reserves (assets) causes a decrease in this ratio. Another variable causing this downward trend is the large $2M yearly pay down of the 2008 Refinanced Debt for the 1999 & 2000 Elementary School Construction and Law Enforcement Center debt. Even though the County has issued new debt since 2008, the historically low interest rates have generated significantly lower debt payments than the previous years’ debt financings. This decreasing trend is likely to continue until the 2008 debt ceases with the last payment in 2015. After this debt is defeased and new debt is issued, it is likely that this percentage will begin moving slowly upwards again, indicating to credit agencies a more strategic approach to the management of the County’s assets. Person County's FY Debt to Assets Ratio 2010 35% 2011 36% 2012 29% 2013 27% 2014 21% · Debt Service Ratio: Measures financing obligations, provides feedback on service flexibility with the amount of expenditures committed to annual debt service. The debt service ratio is calculated as annual debt service divided by total expenses. General accounting guidance discourages this ratio from being higher than 15% for a maximum benchmark. Any percentage higher than this can severely hamper the County's service flexibility. Person County's debt service ratio of 8% is well below the population group of 11% for FY 2013 (Person County's ratio stays flat at 8% for FY 2014). Due to the expected debt reductions in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, it is anticipated that Person County's debt service ratio will substantially decrease unless additional debt is acquired to support the leveling out of this ratio. A consistent debt ratio level would indicate a stronger management of financing resources in relation to the amount that is available for other services. Debt Service FY 2013 Ratio Person County 8% Population Group 11% Maximum Benchmark 15% 19 244 New Debt Service The four proposed financings in Person County's 2016-2020 plan are recommended below: FY 2016 Senior Center Project A General Obligation (G.O.) Bond issue is proposed to cover the construction and renovation of properties recently acquired from the City of Roxboro to provide improved facilities for the County's senior citizens that have been previously displaced from the current Senior Center location. Five plan options were presented to the Board of Commissioners on March 16, 2015 by contracted engineers for consideration. The costs ranged from $2.2M to $3.1M. Until further determined, the total proposed debt amount for these projects is $2,960,000 and is comprised of the following: Construction and Renovation: Senior Center $ 2,900,000 Issuance costs 60,000 Total $ 2,960,000 FY 2016 Various Re-roofing and Equipment Upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition /Improvements A debt borrowing is proposed to cover the roof replacements for Huck Sansbury Workforce building and various school buildings, window replacements for North End Elementary, a boiler replacement at Southern Middle School, and the acquisition and improvements to the Roxplex property. The total proposed debt amount for these projects is $2,160,000 and is comprised of the following: Re-roofing: Huck Sansbury Complex $ 285,189 Re-roofing: South Elementary 268,991 Re-roofing: Woodland Elementary 149,156 Re-roofing: Oak Lane Elementary 207,532 Window Replacements: North End Elementary 329,643 Chiller Replacement: Southern Middle School 300,000 Acquisition/Improvements: Roxplex Center 559,500 Issuance costs 59,989 Total $ 2,160,000 FY 2017 Public Safety Towers and Broadband Equipment A debt borrowing is proposed to cover the construction of three, 300 foot towers and installing Simulcast public safety communication equipment. Also included is the cost of providing grant funds to a private broadband provider to hang broadband equipment on the towers. Currently, the environmental studies are underway and should be completed by the end of FY 2015. Until further determined, the total proposed debt amount for this project is $3,676,000 and is comprised of the following: Construction/Engineering: cell towers $ 3,587,350 Broadband Equipment Installation 88,650 Total $ 3,676,000 FY 2016 Recreation Center Project A G.O. Bond issue is proposed to cover the possible construction of a Recreation Center for improved recreational facilities. The location and scope of this project is undetermined. The recommendation assumes the use of the remaining G.O. Bond Issuance after the costs of the Senior Center Project have been applied. Until further determined, the total proposed debt amount for these projects is $3,040,000 and is comprised of the following: Construction and Renovation: Senior Center $ 3,040,000 20 245 Future Debt Service Payments for Person County Fiscal Year Ending June 30 2006 Various roofing/paving projects 2008 Refinancing of 1999 & 2000 Schools/LEC Bldg 2010 Courthouse Renovation & Various Roofing Projects 2012 School Roofing Projects for SMS & PHS (QSCB) 2014 Capital Equipment Lease (Teleph Equip) 2015 PCRC Purchase/ Renovation & Various Roofing Projects Total Current Debt Service Year to Year Change in Current Debt Service 2015 313,545 2,286,356 932,600 317,582 90,000 137,629 4,077,712 (129,997) 2016 329,831 - 899,960 309,375 70,000 460,480 2,069,646 (2,008,066) 2017 319,969 - 867,320 301,167 75,229 210,960 1,774,645 (295,001) 2018 483,635 - 339,780 292,960 - 246,200 1,362,575 (412,070) 2019 442,471 - 327,540 284,753 - 141,300 1,196,064 (166,511) 2020 427,094 - 315,300 276,546 - 138,500 1,157,440 (38,624) 2021 411,591 - 153,060 268,338 - 135,700 968,689 (188,751) 2022 - - - 260,131 - 430,800 690,931 (277,758) 2023 - - - 251,924 - 221,000 472,924 (218,007) 2024 - - - 243,717 - 116,100 359,817 (113,107) 2025 - - - 235,509 - 113,300 348,809 (11,008) 2026 - - - 227,302 - 110,500 337,802 (11,007) 2027 - - - 219,095 - 107,700 326,795 (11,007) 2028 - - - 106,470 - 104,900 211,370 (115,425) 2029 - - - - - 102,100 102,100 (109,270) 2030 - - - - - - (102,100) Totals 2,728,135$ 2,286,356$ 3,835,560$ 3,594,869$ 235,229$ 2,777,169$ 15,457,318$ (4,207,709)$ Fiscal Year Ending June 30 Total Current Debt Service 2016 Proposed - Senior Center Project (assumptions: 3.5%, 20 yrs) 2016 Proposed - Roofing & Equipment Upgrades; Roxplex Acquisition & Improvements (assumptions: 3.5%, 15 yrs) 2017 Proposed - Public Safety Cell Towers (assumptions: 3.75%, 15 yrs) 2018 Proposed - Recreation Center Project (assumptions: 3.5%, 20 yrs) Total Proposed Debt Service Adjusted Year to Year Change with Proposed Debt Service 2015 4,077,712 - - - - 4,077,712 (129,997) 2016 2,069,646 255,000 175,600 - - 2,500,246 (1,577,466) 2017 1,774,645 249,750 172,100 237,850 - 2,434,345 (65,901) 2018 1,362,575 244,500 268,600 234,100 258,400 2,368,175 (66,170) 2019 1,196,064 239,250 261,600 330,350 253,080 2,280,344 (87,831) 2020 1,157,440 234,000 154,600 422,850 247,760 2,216,650 (63,694) 2021 968,689 228,750 251,100 411,600 242,440 2,102,579 (114,071) 2022 690,931 223,500 344,100 400,350 237,120 1,896,001 (206,578) 2023 472,924 218,250 233,600 465,100 231,800 1,621,674 (274,327) 2024 359,817 213,000 186,600 375,000 226,480 1,360,897 (260,777) 2025 348,809 207,750 121,000 363,750 221,160 1,262,469 (98,428) 2026 337,802 202,500 117,500 352,500 215,840 1,226,142 (36,327) 2027 326,795 197,250 114,000 241,250 210,520 1,089,815 (136,327) 2028 211,370 192,000 110,500 233,750 205,200 952,820 (136,995) 2029 102,100 186,750 107,000 226,250 199,880 821,980 (130,840) 2030 - 181,500 103,500 318,750 194,560 798,310 (23,670) 2031 - 176,250 - 207,500 189,240 572,990 (225,320) 2032 - 171,000 - - 183,920 354,920 (218,070) 2033 - 165,750 - - 178,600 344,350 (10,570) 2034 - 160,500 - - 173,280 333,780 (10,570) 2035 - 155,250 - - 167,960 323,210 (10,570) 2036 - - - - 162,640 162,640 (160,570) 2037 - - - - 157,320 157,320 (5,320) 2038 - - - - - - (157,320) Totals 15,457,318$ 4,102,500$ 2,721,400$ 4,820,950$ 4,157,200$ 31,259,368$ (4,207,709)$ The above chart displays Person County's current debt service schedule. A large amount of debt drops off in fiscal year 2016 for $2.0M. The sharp decline in debt obligations and the availability of low interest rates creates an enviroment that is suitable for taking on additional debt as proposed in the chart to the right. The blue line in the graph below includes the new proposed debt and indicates a more gradual dropoff of debt compared to the red line showing our current debt service schedule. - 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000 4,000,000 4,500,000 Total Current Debt Service Total Proposed Debt Service 21 246