04-03-2023 Closed Session Meeting Minutes BOCApril 3, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 1 of 2
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: April 3, 2023
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Puryear,
Commissioner Palmer, and
Commissioner Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves,
County Attorney Ellis Hankins, and
Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 at 7:49pm 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 (economic
development) with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Attorney Ellis Hankins,
County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves, and Economic
Development Director Brandy Lynch.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Session #1 to order at 7:50pm.
Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch said she wanted to continue the
conversation with the Board related to the renewal for the Mega Site option that will expire
December 31, 2023. She said she has not received the report as referenced at the last closed session
but has been informed that the earliest it will be released is in April.
Ms. Lynch passed out an email communication from Will Best, NC Certified Sites
Director, that reads as Person County is currently pursuing recertification of an existing site or has
an active Certified Site, he wanted to provided statistics regarding site views from 2022 as depicted
from the EPDNC Sites and Locations search tool. Person County’s Mega Park was the second
highest number of views and ranked #2 among all sites viewed on the website. Ms. Lynch
confirmed all criteria has been met for recertification with the exception of a minimum two-year
option on the parcel.
Another update provided by Ms. Lynch was to let the Board know the property acquired
(former Reaves’ property) set to be demolished by the lowest bidder at $25K (action by PCBIC).
Ms. Lynch reminded the Board of the option to have a third-party consultant (Sanford
Holshauser) formulate a good, sound economic evaluation noting the cost was $13,500 plus travel
and expenses.
April 3, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 2 of 2
As noted at the last closed session, the Board was still interested in the report when Ms.
Lynch receives it. It was the consensus of the Board to continue to propose to the Wagstaff family
a 6-year renewal of the current option. Commissioner Puryear suggested setting a deadline for the
Wagstaff family to respond to the County and for the County to look at and pursue other options.
Chairman Powell stated his frustrations that they are getting nowhere with the landowners
and suggested for discussion to possibly retain a neutral third-party to negotiate with the
landowners; the Board and staff discussed possible pros and cons with a third-party negotiator with
the costs being unknown at this time. Vice Chairman Sims asked how neutral could a third-party
consultant be if the County retained for its behalf. The Board agreed the landowners have all the
advantage with control of the property. Ms. Lynch noted if the County did not agree with one of
the Wagstaff’s options, upon expiration of the current option, the Wagstaffs would be able to
market it themselves.
Commissioner Puryear asked about the suggestion at the last meeting to have the parcel
appraised. Ms. Lynch responded that it would be difficult to find comparisons for such a tract with
the topography and the infrastructure. Commissioner Puryear countered that it would have to be
compared with other farmland, which is the current use.
County Manager Katherine Cathey suggested that staff and the Board continue to
brainstorm options, inquire about the costs for a third-party consultant and a timeline.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open session
at 8:29pm.