FAYETTEVILLE,N.C. – The following is a summary of the Jan. 6, 2025, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, which was held at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. To view the agenda and supporting materials for this meeting, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Gene Booth, Director of Emergency Services, presented an update on the implementation of voice dispatch technology, a critical initiative to improve dispatch efficiency and response times for first responders. This project, in partnership with the Cumberland County Fire Chief’s Association, was proposed as part of the FY25 budget. Emergency Services staff have identified the required components and vendors, secured equipment quotes, and, with input from the 911 Board, determined the total project cost of $164,714.76. This amount will be funded through both the Emergency Telephone System Fund and the general fund.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the Jan. 6, 2025 regular meeting agenda with the following changes:
The Board unanimously approved the following CONSENT AGENDA items:
A. Approval of December 2, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Proclamation Honoring Fire Chief Ronnie Marley
C. Approval of Contract Amendments for Temporary Employment Services with Belflex Staffing Network, LLC, Manpower Group US, Inc. and the Mega Force Staffing Group, Inc.
D. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
E. Update on Status of Chemours Litigation (Cumberland County v. The Chemours Company, The Chemours Company, FC, LLC, E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Dupont De Nemours, Inc., and Corteva, Inc. – Cumberland County File No. 22 CVS 1569) – This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately as an Item of Business (4D).
F. Lease of Parking Lot at 235 Person Street
G. Acceptance of Offer to Purchase Surplus Property Located at 400 Buhmann Drive, Fayetteville – This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately as an Item of Business (4E).
H. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment for the January 6, 2025 Board of Commissioners' Agenda
The following ITEMS OF BUSINESS were discussed:
A. Consideration of Change Order #1 for Crown Complex Parking Lot Improvements: Jermaine Walker, Director of Engineering and Infrastructure, presented a change order for the Crown Coliseum parking lot improvements project. Originally funded as part of the FY22 Crown CIP, the project scope includes paving, striping, and ADA pathway construction in several parking areas. Due to unforeseen site conditions, a change order of $120,058.35 was approved, increasing the contract amount from $1,034,491.10 to $1,154,549.45. The change order passed with a 5-1 vote.
B. Consideration of Change Order #1 for Emergency Services Center Chiller Replacement: Jermaine Walker, Engineering and infrastructure Director, presented a change order for the chiller replacement at the Cumberland County Emergency Services Center. After ongoing issues with the existing equipment, staff recommended a replacement. A temporary chiller was needed during installation to avoid disrupting operations. The change order of $13,250 increased the contract value from $419,000 to $432,250. The change order was unanimously approved.
C. Consideration of Change Order #1 for Corporation Drive Outfall Phase I: Jermaine Walker, Engineering and infrastructure Director, presented a change order for the Corporation Drive Sanitary Sewer Outfall project. Due to delays caused by rain and additional work required for dewatering and grading, the project budget was increased by $106,839.80. This raised the total contract amount from $1,616,318 to $1,723,157.80, and the project timeline was extended by 365 days to January 20, 2025. The change order was unanimously approved.
D. Update on Status of Chemours Litigation (Cumberland County v. The Chemours Company, The Chemours Company, FC, LLC, E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Dupont De Nemours, Inc., and Corteva, Inc. – Cumberland County File No. 22 CVS 1569): Rick Moorefield, County Attorney, provided an update on the ongoing litigation with Chemours. The case, filed in Cumberland County Superior Court, has had its trial date pushed to no earlier than Sept. 10, 2025. There are no pending motions, but discovery is continuing. The current schedule includes key dates in 2025, with discovery closing in early March, summary judgment briefs due in mid-May, court-ordered mediation by May 30, 2025, and potential trial dates in September and October.
E. Acceptance of Offer to Purchase Surplus Property Located at 400 Buhmann Drive, Fayetteville: Rick Moorefield, County Attorney, presented information about the offer, which was for surplus property located at 400 Buhmann Drive, Fayetteville, that was acquired by the County and City of Fayetteville through tax foreclosure in 2016 for a purchase price of $8,582.96.The City has since conveyed its interest in the property to the County. The Board voted unanimously to accept an offer from Eric McAllister, on behalf of McAllister Real Estate Investments, LLC, to purchase the property for $8,585. The sale will be advertised and is subject to an upset bid process as outlined in G.S. § 160A-269. Additionally, the Board voted to place a 60-day moratorium on all future offers to purchase property and called for the Board’s Policy Committee to review the County’s current policy and bring it back to the Board’s scheduled agenda session on Feb. 13, 2025.
The following APPOINTMENTS were made:
A. Alliance Health Board of Directors: The Board voted unanimously to appoint Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones to the Board of Directors.
The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss an Attorney Client Matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a)(3).
The Board of Commissioners adjourned the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
Meetings are live streamed on CCNC-TV though the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. All documents associated with this meeting can be found on the Cumberland County website to include meeting agendas, minutes and links to the videos under the Board of Commissioners tab.