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08-04-2025 Meeting Minutes BOCAugust 4, 2025 1 PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 4, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Kyle Puryear Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager Jason Thomas-ABSENT Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board Sherry Wilborn T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney Antoinetta Royster Donald Long The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in Regular session on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Boardroom 215 in the Person County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC. Chairman Puryear called the meeting to order and recognized a quorum was present. Commissioner Long offered an invocation, and Commissioner Royster led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to approve the agenda with the addition of Energy Program Outreach Plans for DSS to be added to the Consent Agenda and the addition of a Closed Session per G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) to preserve the attorney-client privilege. PUBLIC HEARING: PETITION TA-02-25 FROM BLUEBERRY RANGE, LLC TO DEFINE FIREARMS TRAINING/EDUCATION CENTER AS A USE IN THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING ORDINANCE AND ALLOW BY RIGHT IN THE RURAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for Petition TA-02-25 – A request by Blueberry Range, LLC to define Firearms Training/Education Center as a use in the Person County Planning Ordinance and allow by right in the Rural Conservation district Interim Planning Director Margaret Hauth stated the applicant, Mr. Pilkington, has operated his shooting club for a little while. She stated that with changes at the state level with laws and changes in how people operate, he has learned and he believes that it will help his business if he could offer the range for more commercial purposes. August 4, 2025 2 Hauth stated that this did go before the Planning Board and they recommended approval. She stated that staff originally suggested changing the use name to “Commercial Shooting Range” to add transparency and clarity to the use and what activities would be allowed. She stated that during the Planning Board Public Hearing and following discussion with the applicant, the Planning Board and applicant agreed the original use name was more appropriate. She stated that the definition was revised to read as follows: The use of a property for the discharge of archery devices and/or firearms, with a fee or membership basis, indoors or outdoors. The use shall not operate beyond daylight hours (sunrise to sunset). The purpose of the discharge may be for skills development, training, or competition, and is subject to all local, state, and federal firearms laws. The use shall include classroom and/or practical training and education regarding ownership, safety, handling, and marksmanship for the individual’s recreation, hunting, or self- defense purposes. Commissioner Wilborn stated in other words, this would be defined as a Commercial Shooting Range. She stated that if this text amendment is approved, it would not only affect the applicant’s property on Gillis Road, but all individuals in the RC Zoning district. She stated that this is not treated like a Special Use Permit would have been, where all neighbors are notified. She stated that this would be changing this to a use by right in the RC district. She stated that she would feel more comfortable if this was a Special Use Permit. There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of Petition TA-02-25 – A request by Blueberry Range, LLC to define Firearms Training/Education Center as a use in the Person County Planning Ordinance and allow by right in the Rural Conservation district A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to close the public hearing for Petition TA-02-25 – A request by Blueberry Range, LLC to define Firearms Training/Education Center as a use in the Person County Planning Ordinance and allow by right in the Rural Conservation district. August 4, 2025 3 CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY PETITION TA-02-25 A REQUEST BY BLUEBERRY RANGE, LLC TO DEFINE FIREARMS TRAINING/EDUCATION CENTER AS A USE IN THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING ORDINANCE AND ALLOW BY RIGHT IN THE RURAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Commissioner Royster stated that she was in agreement with Commissioner Wilborn. She stated that they want people to be safe and have constraints in place and by approving this, it opens the door for anyone in that zoning district to do the same. Hauth stated that is the point that drove the Planning Board to go back to the name and change it to a Firearms and Education Center. She stated that anyone that sets this up, must provide on-site instruction for the handguns as a way to temper the use and address some of the safety concerns. She stated that it is not just a regular shooting range. Chairman Puryear stated that he is in agreement with the Planning Board. A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 3-1 to approve an ordinance amending the Person County Planning Ordinance to define Firearms Training/Education Center as a permitted use. Commissioner Wilborn voted in opposition. August 4, 2025 4 August 4, 2025 5 PUBLIC HEARING: PETITION TA-03-25- TO AMEND THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING ORDINANCE TO CORRECT REFERENCE AND SPELLING ERRORS INTEGRATE LANGUAGE CREATING ADVISORY BOARDS, AND REQUIRE STAFF TO POST SIGNS ON APPLICANT PROPERTIES TO ALIGN WITH STATE LAW A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for Petition TA-03-25 – To amend the Person County Planning Ordinance to correct reference and spelling errors, integrate language creating advisory boards, and require staff to post signs on applicant properties to align with state law. There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of Petition TA-03-25 – To amend the Person County Planning Ordinance to correct reference and spelling errors, integrate language creating advisory boards, and require staff to post signs on applicant properties to align with state law. A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to close the public hearing for Petition TA-03-25 – To amend the Person County Planning Ordinance to correct reference and spelling errors, integrate language creating advisory boards, and require staff to post signs on applicant properties to align with state law. CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY PETITION TA-03-25 TO AMEND THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING ORDINANCE TO CORRECT REFERENCE AND SPELLING ERRORS, INTEGRATE LANGUAGE CREATING ADVISORY BOARDS, AND REQUIRE STAFF TO POST SIGNS ON APPLICANT PROPERTIES TO ALIGN WITH STATE LAW A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve an ordinance correcting cross-reference and other errors in the Planning Ordinance. August 4, 2025 6 August 4, 2025 7 August 4, 2025 8 August 4, 2025 9 PUBLIC HEARING: PETITION TA-04-25- -SECTION 141-1 (C) TO AMEND ZONING PERMIT VALIDITY PERIOD TO BE INDEFINITE ONCE WORK BEGINS AND TO EXPIRE IF WORK IS ABANDONED FOR ONE YEAR TO ALIGN WITH STATE LAW A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for Petition TA-04-25 – Section 141-1(c) – amend zoning permit validity period to be indefinite once work begins and to expire if work is abandoned for one year to align with state law. There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of Petition TA-04-25 – Section 141-1(c) – amend zoning permit validity period to be indefinite once work begins and to expire if work is abandoned for one year to align with state law. A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to close the public hearing for Petition TA-04-25 – Section 141-1(c) – amend zoning permit validity period to be indefinite once work begins and to expire if work is abandoned for one year to align with state law. CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY PETITION TA-04-25- -SECTION 141-1 (C) TO AMEND ZONING PERMIT VALIDITY PERIOD TO BE INDEFINITE ONCE WORK BEGINS AND TO EXPIRE IF WORK IS ABANDONED FOR ONE YEAR TO ALIGN WITH STATE LAW A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve an ordinance amending the term of permit validity in the Planning Ordinance. August 4, 2025 10 August 4, 2025 11 PUBLIC HEARING: PETITION TA-05-25- A REQUEST TO AMEND THE PERSON COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS TO ADD CORRECT STATE LAW REFERENCE AND INSERT AMENDMENT DATES A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for Petition TA-05-25 – A request to amend the Person County Subdivision Regulations to add correct state law reference and insert amendment Dates. There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of Petition TA-05-25 – A request to amend the Person County Subdivision Regulations to add correct state law reference and insert amendment dates. A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to close the public hearing Petition TA-05-25 – A request to amend the Person County Subdivision Regulations to add correct state law reference and insert amendment dates. CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY PETITION TA-05-25- A REQUEST TO AMEND THE PERSON COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS TO ADD CORRECT STATE LAW REFERENCE AND INSERT AMENDMENT DATES A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve an ordinance amending errors in the Subdivision Regulations. August 4, 2025 12 August 4, 2025 13 INFORMAL COMMENTS: The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments: Cindy Chandler of 3186 Antioch Church Road, Timberlake stated that she is here today to advocate for the support of a Youth Football Program for Person County. She stated that her eight-year-old son has played flag football with Parks and Rec the past two summers under Rufus Long. She stated that Long has decided to dedicate his time and energy to the youth of Person County and is working on a goal of a Youth Football Program. She stated that Long has the knowledge to connect the youth with a National Football Program called Pop Warner. She stated with a Youth Football Program available, it would teach youth the fundamentals of football before they reach middle and high school. She stated that she is asking the County for support, and a place for the youth to practice, play and compete. She stated that this program would be a valuable asset to Person County and it would keep the youth in Person County instead of having to go to neighboring counties to play. April Short of 362 Gates Run, Timberlake stated that her child was also coached under Rufus Long. She stated that we need to start investing in our youth. She stated that she has been a big advocate for that, as the children need and deserve it. She stated that they need a place to practice and play. She stated that the children were only allowed to do flag football, no touch or contact, as it was done at Olive Hill, and the field was only big enough for flag football. She stated that she wanted to speak on technology and transparency. She stated that Person County is so far behind when it comes to technology, based on her research and comparing it to other counties. She stated that the County needs to invest in better technology for people to information on hand and readily available. She stated related to transparency, there is no way of seeing who has been appointed or serving on a board. She stated that she wanted to lift up the Kemari Morgan family. She stated that the community still supports the Morgan family. She stated that they have not forgotten about Morgan and the situation. She stated that there needs to be changes in plans and policy. She stated that they want answers, and want to know what is happening as there is a fear and a broken trust. She stated that everyone is still grieving and just wants answers. DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda with the following items: A. Minutes July 21, 2025 -amended with correction to typo B. Public Records Request Policy Amendment C. Contract for School Nursing Services between Person County and Person County Schools D. Energy Program Outreach Plans for DSS August 4, 2025 14 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Chairman Puryear had no report. MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Katherine Cathey stated that the Civics Academy registration opened on Friday, and that there are fifteen seats available, and so far, we have received nine applications. She encouraged members of the public who are interested in learning more about county government to visit the county website and use the link to sign up for the Civics Academy. She stated that Civics Academy will begin in early September, and will be an 8-week course offered in the morning from 9am-noon. She stated that the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Durham, that would be assisting small businesses, non-profits, and residents in Person County who were affected by Tropical Storm Chantal. COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS Commissioner Wilborn had no report. Commissioner Royster stated that she and Chairman Puryear attended the ribbon- cutting event at the Sportsplex. She stated that there were a lot of people in attendance. She stated that she did not hike the trails as it was too hot. She commented on Person County’s need for a Youth Football League. She stated that she takes her son to Alamance County to play and has observed several other Person County residents there. Commissioner Long stated that he spoke to a citizen in a neighboring county who advised that they were impressed in the professionalism of Interim Planning Director Margaret Hauth and were very complimentary of her. Long stated that Person County needed her to come out of retirement. A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to enter into Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. CLOSED SESSION A motion to enter into Closed Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for the purpose to consult with the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr. and Interim Planning Director Margaret Hauth. August 4, 2025 15 Chairman Puryear called the closed session to order at 6:31 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to return to open session at 6:34 p.m. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. ____________________________ ______________________________ Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear Clerk to the Board Chairman