October 5, 2023 Special Call Meeting The Martin County Board of Commissioners met in a Special Called meeting to discuss Closed Session matters, on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Board Room ofthe Martin County Governmental Center, 305 East Main Street, Williamston, North Carolina. ASSEMBLY Those attending the meeting were Chairman Ronnie Smith, Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond, Jr., Commissioner Joe R. Ayers, Commissioner Emily Biggs, Commissioner David "Skip" Gurganus, County Manager U. James Bennett, County Attorney Benjamin Eisner, County Clerk Julia S. Rease, and Finance Officer Cindy Ange. Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioner Biggs led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Gurganus provided the invocation. AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Smith asked that a Public Record Discussion was added to the agenda in Open Session. Vice Chairman Bond Jr. made the Motion to Approve the agenda with the addition of the Public Records Discussion, with a Second by Commissioner Gurganus. Motion was Carried unanimously. CLOSED SESSION(S) - 1. N.C.G.S. 143-318.110)3)Attorney-Client Privilege and 2. N.C.G.S. 145-318.110X5Rea. Property Purchase/Contracts/Leases Around 6:04 p.m., Commissioner Gurganus made the Motion to enter Closed Sessions pursuant of NC G.S. $143-318.11(a) (3) Attorney-Client and NC G.S. $143-318.11(a) (5) Real Property Pur.hse/Coniacwleass with a Second by Vice Chairman Bond Jr. The motion was Carried unanimously. At 7:20 p.m.. Vice Chairman Bond Jr. made the Motion to Exit Closed Session(s) 1. N.C.G.S. 83IOAtmgdlet Privilege and 2.N.C.G.S. 143-318.110X5Real Property Punrhase/Contmcsleases > with a Second by Commissioner Biggs. Motion was Carried unanimously. OPEN SESSION Public Record Requests = (Added during Agenda Approval) County Attorney Benjamin Eisner updated the Board and audience about the Public Record Requests. County Attorney Eisner reported that the staff were receiving multiple public record requests on a steadily basis. It was reported that if the record request could be processed and completed quickly, they were completed and returned to the person who made the request. County Attorney Eisner stated that if there were record requests - requesting a lengthy amount of records, it may take more time to be completed. These record requests were reportedly being staffed with County Attorney Eisner and the responsible department head to ensure that the logistics of the lengthy requests were worked out and to get an idea of! how long the request would take. Chairman Smith asked that a letter be sent to any person requesting a lengthy records request, stating how long it would take to complete the request. County Attorney Benjamin Eisner agreed and stated that there would be contact made with individuals who requested records to keep them abreast of a possible completion date, logistics of providing the record request, and updates. Commissioner Gurganus asked ifhis understanding was correct that ofeverything being requested, iflegal to be distributed; would be worked on with some things being faster than others, the people completing the record request had jobs to do as well in keeping the County running, but overall it was being handled as fast as possible? County Attorney Eisner agreed. Commissioner Gurganus stated that a little patience was needed to be exercised due to the staff conducting jobs within the County and the responsibility of providing record requests. Interim County Manager (Closed Session Discussion) Chairman Smith reported that there was a closed session discussion regarding the process of looking for an Interim County Manager. Human Resources Director Donna Zube informed the audience that she would begin contacting the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), the League of Government Municipalities (LGC), the School ofGovernment (SOG) - Chapel Hill, and in house applications in search for an Interim County Manager. HR Director Zube stated that the applicants would be required to send applications and resumes to her directly and that no one else would have these documents unless all commissioners had all ofthese documents at one time. From there, the Board would review the applications and resumes with hopes that an Interim County Manager would be chosen before the end oft the month. There were no further comments and or questions. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, at 7:22 p.m., Commissioner Gurganus Motioned to adjourn and Commissioner Biggs Seconded the motion. The Board unanimomsbapprered then motion Ronnie Smith, Chairman Martin Courty Board of Commissioners Doa Julia S. Rease eki Clerk to the Board