09-03-2024 Closed Session Meeting Minutes BOC- Redacted September 3, 2024, Closed Session Page 1 of 3
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: September 3, 2024
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Palmer,
Commissioner Puryear and
Commissioner Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT:
County Manager, Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board, Michele Solomon,
County Attorney, T.C. Morphis, Jr.,
Health Director, Janet Clayton (Closed Session #1),
Environmental Health Supervisor, Bonnie Holt (Closed Session #1), and
Economic Development Director, Brandy Lynch (Closed Session #2, via telephone)
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter in to closed
sessions at 7:17 p.m. Closed Session #1 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., Health Director Janet Clayton, and Environmental Health Supervisor
Bonnie Holt, followed by Closed Session #2 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) for
the purpose of discussion of matters relating to the location or expansion of
industries or other businesses in the county related to economic development with
the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., and
Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Sessions to order at 7:18 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
September 3, 2024, Closed Session Page 2 of 3
September 3, 2024, Closed Session Page 3 of 3
CLOSED SESSION #2
County Manager Katherine Cathey stated that the purpose of this closed session is
to provide updates as it relates to the Mega Park. She stated that the actions the Board
took earlier this evening by approving the Resolution setting a Public Hearing for closure
of Country Club Road, goes before the NC Board of Transportation at 9:30 am in
Winston-Salem, and they will consider abandoning the roadway. She stated that she plans
on attending that meeting. She stated that both PCBIC and the Wagstaff family have
provided letters of support of the abandonment. She stated that signs will be posted at
both ends of Country Club Road tomorrow. She stated that letters will be sent to the
adjacent property owners, which is PCBIC and the Wagstaff family. She stated that the
Public Hearing Notice will be advertised in the paper for the next three Thursdays. She
stated that we would have to issue a Special Meeting notice for September 24, 2024 to
conduct the Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. She stated that the road closure is very important
to the project that is looking to buy the property. She stated that is why we had to extend
the option to September 13, 2024, as they are not willing to sign a Purchase and Sale
Agreement until DOT makes their decision on the road closure. County Attorney T.C.
Morphis, Jr. stated that the Wagstaff family has made it clear that they want to close on
this project by October 31, 2024, as they want to do a 1031 exchange. He stated that any
person aggrieved by the closing of the road may appeal the Board of Commissioners’
order within thirty days after the day the order is adopted. He stated that the timeframe is
tight and that is why time is of the essence. He stated that this project buyer has been very
cautious, and they do not want to close until the appeal period closes, which is after
October 24, 2024, which still meets the Wagstaff family’s timeline of closing by October
31, 2024. Chairman Powell stated that he has spoken to the DOT District 5 Engineer and
they were reluctant to close the road, and after speaking with them a second time, it now
looks favorable. He stated that it is very critical that this road closure happens. Morphis
and Lynch both expressed the importance of the timeline and confidentiality related to
this project.
No action was taken by the Board on this item.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 7:41 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 7:42 p.m.