April 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes  The meeting was called to order on April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cumberland County  Board of Elections by the Chair.  Present:  Helen Nelson Chair Linda Devore Member Irene Grimes - Secretary  Billy King - Member James Baker- Member  Staff:  Angela Amaro, Vicki Hillburn, Mitzie Roberts  Guests: Amanda Turnmire, Sandra Walker, Peter Apone, Harlan Devore, Jeremey Reinoehl, Donna Davis, Jackie Warner, Charles Ferguson, Matthew Davis, Joy Potts, Bobby Swilley, Brooke Hunter, Bree Eldridge, Susan Chapman, Nina Morton, John Zimmerman, Kim Zimmerman, Amy Cannon, Susan Mills, Mildred Bowl, Shamike Bethea, Diane Wheatley, Rudy  Smart, AnnMarie Swilley Second: Member Baker Vote: Unanimous in favor  ACTION: Member King moves that the Board approve the agenda.  PUBLIC COMMENT: (each speaker has 2min 30sec.)  Jerry Reinhold, 516 Deerpath Drive, Fayetteville, NC: compliments the Board on publishing the campaign finance reports for candidates. Wants the voter database updated to reflect the correct birth date for all voters and especially candidates rather than the "legacy date" of Donna Davis, 7653 Spurge Drive, Fayetteville, NC: Was made aware that the Board is seizing the invocation; she thinks the invocation should continue, there are many denominations in the community and the invocation should continue. Sitting in silence you could be thinking about Jackie Warner, 4333 Legion Road, Hope Mills, NC: Since 2011 has been Mayor of Hope Mills; came to the meeting tonight because of the concern about invocation. As Mayor of Hope Mills we have prayer at every meeting; we have prayer at every function; there was a concern back in2011 and one pastor in Hope Mills organized a pastor's coalition and pastors rotate; it is every denomination and every time there is a function it is lead by a pastor. We have Rabbis, Latter Day Saints, United Methodists, Catholics, Baptists, Church of God, Pentecostal Holiness. In a small community the best way to get information out in a time of need is the pastors. Prayer at the opening of meetings is critical; that should not be the one thing we take away. Iwould not normally come to this meeting but If felt sO strong about this tonight.  1/1/1900.  your grocery list or are you thinking about the meeting.  Cumberland County Board of Elections, April 12, 2022  Page1of3    Joy Potts, 2940 Bakers Mill, Fayetteville, NC: lam Buddhist and I do not want prayer taken out oft this meetings because we need something that is holy.They do it at all government proceedings and lenjoy it; they even do it at City Council. We need to be able to unify, I am Bobby Swilley, 18904 Nantucket Court, Fayetteville, NC: As past member oft this Board Ia am appalled; I can't believe we are here to discuss this. It is not the responsibility of this Board, which is the Board make sure we have fair and transparent and honest elections, you need to stay out of the God business and I am asking you, I am against removing the invocation for a Bree Eldridge, 953 Pecan Road Loop, Hope Mills, NC:lam speaking for the inclusion of the invocation. When you start a meeting with a prayer it sets the tone and provides a moral compass. Ifind comfort when I know that people take a moment and when that is how we start  mortified.  public meeting and I sincerely hope you take this seriously.  our meetings. New Business:  Interim Director Amaro says that there are two precincts (CC08, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church &C CC21, Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Church on Scotty Hill Road) have requested that no political signs be placed at those locations. Staff has al letter to be sent to NCSBE asking that an agreement be entered into that no political signs be placed there; we have no other suitable sites for these precincts. The letter will need Board approval and the Chair's signature. ACTION: Member Grimes moves to submit the letter to the State that both sites will not have  political signs posted on their premises. Second: Member Baker Vote: Unanimous in favor  Interim Director Amaro informs the Board that there is a vacancy in the office and she is working with Human Resources to update the job description SO the vacancy can be posted.  Discussion among the Board members on invocation.  ACTION: Member Devore moves that the Board returns to the meeting next month with recommendations for a policy to consider regarding the invocation. Vote: 3/2 (in favor: Devore, Baker, Neison/opposed: Grimes, King) in favor.  Second: Member Baker  Staff Member Hillburn presents eight absentee ballot envelopes to the Board.(3 Civilian, 2 Military, 3 Overseas). Of those, seven are recommended for approval and one should be looked at by the Board for a determination whether it was properly executed.  Board Members inspect the questioned ballot envelope.  ACTION: Member Grimes moves for the ballot envelope to be accepted as submitted by the  voter.  Cumberland County Board of Elections, April 12,2022  Page2of3    Second: Member King Chair Nelson seconds the motion.  After discussion, Member King withdraws his second.  Vote: 2/3 (in favor: Grimes, Nelson/oppposed: Devore, Baker, King) - does not pass. According to staff member Hillburn the voter will be issued a replacement ballot. ACTION: Member Devore moves to accept the remaining seven ballot envelopes as  recommended by staff. Second: Member Grimes Vote: Unanimous in favor  ACTION: Member Devore moves that the Board go into closed session to discuss a personnel  issue.  Second: Member Grimes Vote: Unanimous in favor  The Board moves into closed session at 5:46pm The Board returns from closed session at 6:31pm  Chair Nelson states that there is nothing to report from the closed session.  Adjournment Motion: Member Grimes Second: Member King Sybmitted by, R  Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m.  Irene Grimes, Secretary  Helen Nelson, Chair clulai  Sl JamesH.E Baker, Member  lwiifln Linda Devore, Member  Arees Billy King, Membe  Cumberland County Board ofE Elections, April 12,2022  Page 3of3    April 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes CLOSED SESSION  (The regular meeting was called to order on April 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cumberland  County Board of Elections by the Chair). Present: Helen Nelson - Chair  Billy King - Member James Baker - Member  Linda Devore - Member Irene Grimes - Secretary  Guests: Amanda Turnmire, Sandra Walker, Amy Cannon, Sally Shutt  The Board moved from open into closed session at 5:46 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue. Sally Shutt (Assistant County Manager) explained how the assessment centers in the Director  of Elections Search was going to be conducted. Assessors will evaluate the candidates and brief the Board.  Amy Cannon (County Manager) recommends no more than five finalists to put through the  assessment center.  Board members will return on May 3, 2022 with their top five candidates. Board members agree that the assessment center will take place on June 17, 2022. Chair Nelson states that there is nothing to report from the closed session.  The Board returned from closed session at 6:38 p.m.  Adjournment Motion: Member Baker Second: Member Devore Submitted by,  Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  Grimes,  dEs CSs  Cumberland County Board ofE Elections, April 12,2 2022  Page 1of2    Sundneo Helen Nelson, Chair  HBRu James/H.E Baker, Member  Linda Devore, Member  Billy  ALARE  Cumberland County Board of Elections, April 12,2 2022  Page 2of2