Crown Event Center

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Health Director provided a Monkeypox update to the Board of Commissioners during their Regular Meeting at 9 a.m. on September 6, in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.

North Carolina

• 332 cases
• 99% of all cases are among men who have sex with men
• 37% among 18-29 year olds
• 54% among 30-49 year olds
• 68% among Black African-American Men
• 87% are non-Hispanic

Cumberland County

• 10 Cases
• Case counts are small
• To protect personal health information, Dept. of Public Health is unable to provide information that may identify a person

During the presentation Dr. Jennifer Green outlined the background, symptoms, how the virus is spread, prevention, testing availability and the case numbers in Cumberland County versus the entire state of North Carolina.

While Green noted the current demographic breakdown in cases, she stressed that the virus can and is evolving and reminded the Board that anyone can contract monkeypox. She also discussed the importance for a person to seek testing if they have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox or if they have symptoms of monkeypox including new or unexplained bumps, sores, blisters, or pimples that look like monkeypox. Please visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services dashboard at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/monkeypox for more information.

Call Cumberland County Department of Public Health for 910-433-3600 for an appointment to be tested or vaccinated.

The Board of Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda at this meeting:

• Approval of August 15, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
• Approval of Proclamation for Constitution Week
• Approval of Grant Project Budget Ordinance Amendment #B230004 for Opioid Settlement Funds Strategy Options
• Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
• Approval of Declaration of Surplus County Property, Budget Ordinance Amendment #230790 and Authorization to Accept Insurance Settlement
• Approval of Declaration of Surplus County Property, Budget Ordinance Amendment #231126 and Authorization to Accept Insurance Settlement
• Approval of Sole Source Upgrade of Pneumatic Controls at Department of Social Services
• Approval of Sole Source Upgrade of Pneumatic Controls at Detention Center
• Approval of Sole Source Upgrade of Pneumatic Controls at East Regional Library
• Approval of Sole Source Upgrade of Video Board Digital Media Players at the Crown Complex
• Approval of Request to Calla Public Hearing on September 19, 2022 for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
• Approval of Induction of 2022 Agricultural Hall of Fame Nominee
• Approval of Waiving Flu Vaccine Administration Fee
• Approval of Revisions to the Department of Public Health Billing Guide
• Approval of Temporary Display Spa Fee
• Approval of Health Department Delinquent Accounts to be Turned Over to the NC Debt Set-Off Program
• Approval of Sale of Surplus Real Property Located at 4210 Scary Creek Road, Fayetteville
• Approval of Sale of Surplus Real Property Located at 6230 Canadian Avenue, Fayetteville
• Acceptance of Offer to Purchase Surplus Property Located at 521 Martin Road, Fayetteville
• Acceptance of Offer to Purchase Surplus Property Located at 6341 Rutherglen Drive, Fayetteville
• Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the September 6, 2022 Board of County Commissioners' Agenda

The only additional item of business discussed was the Consideration of Crown Event Center Committee Recommendations.  The Board of Commissioners approved the recommended Guiding Principles for the project and authorized the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural Services.  The Board’s approval comes after the Crown Event Center Committee met on August 16 to receive an update from MBP, who serves as the Owner’s Representative. MBP presented the Guiding Principles which provide the foundation for development of the Crown Event Center. The Guiding Principles were first presented to the committee in May and then were further refined and revised based upon a community engagement process held on July 15 and 16.

The approved guiding principles are:

• A local and regional asset that builds upon existing economic development infrastructure and is a catalyst for existing and new businesses to flourish.
• A venue that enhances and elevates our community as a premier destination for entertainment, events, and gatherings.
• A quality, evolving, and efficient venue that provides a first-class experience with a lasting impression.
• Premier, welcoming, and accessible experience available to all patrons.
• An engaging community amenity that is financially self-sustaining.
• Flexible and functional venue with multiple spaces to accommodate a variety of
• programming.
• Capitalize on market gap for 500-3,000 capacity.
• Diverse programming that appeals to broad ranges of interests.
• Affordable spaces to accommodate local and regional cultural programs hosted by schools, universities, arts organizations, and community organizations.

The next step is the site selection process.  Currently, the Timmons Group has been engaged to review site locations, which the Board will narrow down to two locations for the Timmons Group to conduct further analysis prior to final selection by the Board of Commissioners.  Additionally, a Public Information Session will be held September 8 at 10 a.m. in the Cumberland County Dept. of Social Services Building.

There was a closed session concerning:

• Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143.318.11(a)(5)
• Attorney-Client Matter(s) Pursuant to NCGS 143.318.11(a)(3)
• Personnel Matter(s) Pursuant to NCGS 143.318.11(a)(6)

Please visit cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/commissioners-group/commissioners/meetings/agendas-minutes-and-videos for the meeting notes concerning this meeting and other Board of Commissioners’ meetings.

To watch the meeting and listen to the entire discussion between meeting participants of the Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Session, please visit YouTube.com/CumberlandCountyNC and for more information about Cumberland County government, visit cumberlandcountync.gov. You can also follow the county on social media by searching CumberlandCountyNC.