June 27,2024 Special Calll Meeting  The Martin County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Called Meeting regarding Open and Closed Session matters in the Commissioners Board Room, Martin County Governmental Center, Those attending the meeting were Chairman Dempsey Bond Jr., Vice Chair Emily Biggs, Commissioner Joe R. Ayers, Commissioner Ronnie Smith, Commissioner David "Skip" Gurganus, Interim County Manager / County Attorney Benjamin R. Eisner, Clerk to the Board  305 East Main Street, Williamston, N.C.  Julia Rease, Finance Officer Cindy Ange, and Mrs. Angela Raynor. Others in Attendance: Mayor of Bear Grass Charlotte Griffin  Chairman Bond Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:30j p.m. Commissioner Biggs led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Gurganus provided the invocation. Chairman Bond Jr. extended a  welcome to all participating. AGENDA APPROVAL  Commissioner Gurganus made a Motion to approve the agenda, with a Second from  Commissioner Ayers. The Motion was Carried unanimously. (5-0)  NEW BUSINESS  1.A Appointment of Finance Director and Acceptance of Performance Bond  Finance Officer Cindy Ange announced plans for retirement in aj previous meeting and Ms. Angela Raynor was hired to become the new Finance Officer. Ms. Raynor was asked to stand in acknowledgment of her new position. Bonding requirements were stated and proof of her bond was presented to the Board to be recorded in the minutes as required by general statute. Interim County Manager Benjamin Eisner stated that the approval of the bond and appointment of Ms. Commissioner Gurganus made the Motion to approve Mrs. Angela Raynors' appointment as Finance Director with a Second by Commissioner Ayers. The Motion was Carried unanimously Commissioner Gurganus made the Motion approving of Ms. Angela Raynors' Bond as Finance Director, with a Second by Commissioner Smith. The Motion was Carried unanimously (5-0)  Angela Raynor was being requested oft the Board.  (5-0).  2. McAdams and Associates Contract  Commissioners received the McAdams and Associates, LLC. contract via email to continue providing administrative and consulting services for planning and funding application submittal  related to grants.    Commissioner Gurganus made the Motion to Approve the McAdams and Associates Contract with a Second by Commissioner Smith. Motion was Carried Unanimously (5-0).  3. Budget Amendments - None  CAB GRANT  Interim County Manager Eisner stated that efforts were continuously being made in implementing broadband within the County. Interim County Manager Eisner stated that feedback was being anticipated from the State and an update would be given in the July Board meeting. 2. Health Care Solutions - Ascendient Consultant Dawn Carter  Ascendient Consultant Carter stated that progress was being made in providing healthcare in Martin County. Ascendient Consultant Carter reminded the Board and audience of the three questions that were discussed ini the. January 2024 Board meeting. The three questions were: Can Martin General Hospital reopen as al Rural Emergency Hospital (REH)? What, ifanything, needed to be done to the facility to open as a REH? Are there any capital needs and or funding needs to open as an REH?  The REH was ai new. hospital designation that came about in 2023 and there was a delay in applying the designation to the hospital since it was closed. Ascendient Consultant Carter reported that the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS) confirmed that Martin General Hospital could be reopened from previously being closed as an REH. Therefore, the first question listed oft the three, had' been answered. The remainder ofthe questions listed: needed answers as well before the search for a hospital provider could begin. Martin General Hospital was stated to be the first hospital Moving forward, Ascendient Consultant Carter stated that the second question listed was being looked into and involved the Department of Human & Health Services (DHHS). DHHS was the entity that had to determine and approve the building to reopen and they had to apply federal and state regulations to the building. Ascendient Consultant Carter mentioned DHHS conducting a walkthrough to determine ift the building met the federal and state regulations/ requirements, and  eligible to be reopened as an REH that was previously closed.  ifso what needed to be done next. The walkthrough had ai threefold purpose:  Familiarize DHHS with the Martin County teams' thoughts on how the building could be  operated as an REH,  Conduct the walkthrough toi identify any questions that they may have had  Identify any structural updates that need to be taken.  The Deputy Director of DHHS attended and was stated to be very responsive throughout the process. It was important for DHHS to understand the vision. More questions were generated after the walkthrough and certain things such as the systems in the hospital were being cataloged, then compared to the requirements of an REH to see ift the hospital met the standards and ifr not, what  was needed to be done to meet those standards.    Once it was known what capital needs were needed, if any, funding for those needs would be identified. When Ascendient Consultant Carter had answers to these questions, a Request for Proposals (RFP) would be sent out. Ascendient Consultant Carter reportedly had a discussion with potential provider and there were multiple parties interested in operating the hospital. A timetable for this process was not set just ofy yet. Ascendient Consultant Carter was assured that NC DHHS would respond as soon as possible, as they had been throughout the entire process thus far. Commissioner Gurganus commented that everyone wanted this process to be fast, but ere were a lot of hurdles to overcome. Commissioner Gurganus reported that ifit were not for Ascendient Consultant Dawn Carter, Interim County Manager/County Attorney Benjamin Eisner, Attorney Tom Stukes, and state officials; the County would not have made as much progress in resolving thei issue with healthcare inl Martin County. Commissioner Gurganus commended them in working hard to resolve this issue. Commissioner Gurganus noted that they helped with aj passion and not  top put money in their pockets. CLOSED SESSION  At6:45 p.m., Commissioner Biggs made the Motion to Enter Closed Session 1.N.C.G.S. $131E- 97.3 Competitive Health Care Information, with a Second by Commissioner Gurganus. The At 7:16 PM, Commissioner Smith made the Motion to Exit Closed Session 1.N.C.G.S. $131E- 97.3 Competitive Health Care Information, with a Second by Commissioner Gurganus. The  Motion was Carried unanimously.  Motion was Carried unanimously. (5-0)  OPEN SESSION  Interim County Manager Eisner stated that Dawn Carter mentioned an update before the closed session and identified Criterion Health, LLC. Consulting group to help navigate through certain questions regarding the Martin General Hospital and a contract was presented to retain services. Commissioner Biggs made the Motion to approve the Criterion Health, LLC. Contract, with a  Second by Commissioner Gurganus. The Motion was Carried unanimously.  Adjournment:  At 7:18p.m., Commissioner Smith made the Motion to adjourn the meeting, with a Second by  Commissioner Gurganus. The motion was Carried unanimously (5-0).  Sbk Bond Jr., Chairman Commissioners Julia S. Rease Clerk to the Board  Martin Bz  County Board of  paikin & Boerc