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06-05-2023 Closed Session Meeting Minutes BOC- RedactedJune 5, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 1 of 2 Person County Board of Commissioners Minutes of a Closed Session DATE: June 5, 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 Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session #1 at 8:06pm 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. Closed Session #1 was called to order at 8:08pm. Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch passed out a NC Megasite Readiness Program Report dated May 2023 as produced by the Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC) along with partnering firms to perform the analysis of the data. The NC General Assembly directed EDPNC to evaluate NC sites and identify up to five megasites best positioned to successfully serve major advanced manufacturing projects. Ms. Lynch stated EDPNC’s report included 31 evaluated sites; she said Person County’s mega site was eliminated due to the labor specific component that could not be supported. Ms. Lynch spoke of a recent project that needs 50 acres that would be making $852M capital investment with 482 jobs with a salary 10% above the average Person County wage. Ms. Lynch updated the Board on Project Lamb noting they remain interested however; the state of the economy was holding them up at this time. She reminded the group that Project Lamb needs more than 500 acres. County Manager Katherine Cathey reminded the group that the Board’s last discussion related to the Wagstaffs’ counter offer was to extend the current option for six-years at the same price per acre (full parcel as noted in the option and purchase agreement, approximately 1,350 acres). June 5, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 2 of 2 Commissioner Puryear and other commissioners stated no interest in entertaining the Wagstaffs’ counter offers and should the Wagstaffs not commit to extending the current option for another six years as requested by the Board, the Board would not continue the option at all. Ms. Lynch requested the Board to direct her as she has an Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The Board consented for Ms. Lynch to share the NC Megasite Readiness Program Report as discussed with the Board and to let the EDC know that the Board was still in negotiations with the Wagstaffs related to the lease option without providing specific information. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open session at 8:40pm. June 5, 2023, Closed Session #2 Page 1 of 1 Person County Board of Commissioners Minutes of a Closed Session DATE: June 5, 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, and County Attorney Ellis Hankins CLOSED SESSION #2 A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session #2 at 8:41pm 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 Attorney Ellis Hankins, County Manager Katherine Cathey, and Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves. Closed Session #2 was called to order at 8:41pm. County Attorney Ellis Hankins updated the Board on the following three lawsuits involving Person County: 1)Person County Inspections Department has been listed as a defendant in a case where the Plaintiff Calfee versus Traditional Southern and Person County Inspections Department alleges liability with an addition to an existing home whereby the contractor was negligent. Person County’s insurance has retained Womble Bond Dickinson in Winston-Salem, who has filed an answer denying liability with defenses seeking a judge to dismiss Person County Inspections Department from the lawsuit. 3)A former employee, John Gill, who is no longer employed with Person County’s Detention Office, has been named a criminal defendant. Mr. Hankins stated the county’s insurance carrier has engaged Womble Bond Dickinson to provide defense on behalf of Mr. Gill. A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open session at 8:48pm.