Thank you, gentlemen. I would like to call this meeting on Monday, February 19, 2024 to order. And to start the meeting, I would like to ask American Congress if he would do an invitation and then please send to the play. Would everybody please stay? Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have done for us this day. You allowed us to rise early this morning, clothed in our right mind. And allowed us to travel from one place to another. And we're so grateful to say thank you. Now, Lord, tonight is the day. The commissioners go forward and hand on the bend as affairs of Duke McAlley. we ask you to give them the wisdom and knowledge, give them the insight, and give them the ability to work in the United Front. We ask you to remember the commission, the community manager, as well as assistant county manager as they go for doing the work that you've called them to do. We ask you to night, Lord, remember the citizens of this wonderful county continue to bless increasing here in our county. And we will always give you the praise and glory for all of these things. And in the name of Jesus Christ, let all the God's children say amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation on the God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. Anybody have anything to add or take away from the agenda tonight? No. No, you're good. I did not. Sorry. Yes, we need to add to the regular agenda an appointment of a member of the board to the Trillium Advisory Board, which was formally eastward. If we could, let's add that behind on Mr. McKeeney. So that would be add on this item number six. So Judd McKinney is number five. That correct. That's great. You see it? That's not great. Okay. This is great. Good. Okay, county manager. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to rem the closed session for personal Hand the plot is on under out of number six now You wanted to remove Their regional six I don't think there was a regional six Just on my copy right okay, I'm sorry. It makes it real simple. Okay, so let's let's be perfectly clear. You're adding on on item number six an appointment for. So the Trillium Advisory Board. Okay. I need a member of the board appointed to that board. And we're removed in the closed session. Correct. It's commasers. It's a pleasure. That's a good presentation. Got a motion out of second. Any further comment? All in favor say aye. All opposed. Same side. Carry. All right. I need an approval for the minutes of the February fifth meeting. We got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Here and none. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Same side. Carry. All right, hopefully everybody's looked over the consent agenda. I would like an approval on consent agenda I got a motion to approve Do I have a second got a second? Any further discussion? Here none all in favor say aye. All opposed. Same side. Carry. All right. That moves us right on in to out of number one. Public comment. We have had two people sign up. The first one is Terry Nars. Good evening. Good evening. Terry Norris. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. I know you're familiar with it, but I need to make sure you understand we got three minutes. Okay. Yeah, cut me off. So I appreciate you allowing me to three minutes first, because I want to address four issues over a period of 10 months. I'm going to try to appear over a period of 10 months. I'm going to try to appear to ever meet for 10 months. Substance abuse and addiction is the first one. Folks in on opioid and fentanyl crisis, crime and incarceration is number two. Resentivism, which here in Dukeland County with no way that's justistically measured, has been averaged at about 75%. In our jail and the fourth thing I want to discuss in New York City, and I'm not going to do anything to do in County with no way to statistically measured it has been averaged at about 75%. In our jail and the fourth thing I want to discuss is evidence-based proven solution to all these issues. And if implemented, it can save the county 1.4 million dollars every three years. Not counting the saving countless lives and helping family members and children. The reason I wanted to discuss these issues publicly is I've worked the reguars decently in order behind the scenes, but as recent votes and different things have been taken into fourth judicial district, I wanted to get them out here and begin a public conversation. So one of the things that I know is that for me to be able to discuss these issues most people don't know me that's number one. And before anybody will give any credibility to any author I don't care whether the Bible wherever they always say will Paul Roger or Moses said the author has to have credibility and I hate that because I need to give you a little bit of credibility before I continue to next 10 months so that maybe what I say will be taken with some seriousness and the issues that I have to discuss or take them with some seriousness. There've always as I've discussed in the background there's been issues that I may not understand these four issues. So I want to clear up maybe some of you know me from Terry Narsson, come from Old Country, Ploughboy, in Dupline County. And so I want to clear up some things about me being the author over the next 10 months and I want to make it public record because up until now there is no public evidence that I've tried to address these issues and we'll continue to address them and it's not that some of my discussions happen being good because they have. It's just discussions happen turned into implementation. My name's Dr. Terry Nars. I'm founder of executive, founder and executive directors, merged ministries. I worked in the field of addiction for 36 years. 24 of those have been professionally and intimately involved. I first worked here in Dupland County and helped develop dark twa East was one of the first treatment centers in Dupland County mental health. That I worked for Huey Rhodes. We had a detox center over at Rhodes Hill where East Point is right now. I was mentored by him and started at that in 87.89 and then I was one of five hand-picked people who got a pardon from the governor in 1989. Developed now what we know is the dark program, which is a 300-bed treatment facility. I hope that some arise. I'm sorry. Three minutes is up. Can you summarize real quick? Yep. In summary, this is it. I have a doctorish degree and I have a great education. So over the next 10 months, as I started to talk about solution to address these four problems, I wanted that on record that I do have the education and knowledge, the wisdom, and the courtesy to go about this in a decent way. Thank you, and have fun. Thank you. Okay. Next we have Brenda Jones. I'm not gonna stand up and tell you no credibility that I have. I come to skip my name is Brenda Jones. Brenda L. Jones. I graduated from James King. I am from this area. I come not on my own. I come as a messenger from the Holy Spirit to let you know. I got three words. I got five before that and I got three more words. He says, stop gambling and taking chances. And he says, secure all your schools. No business as usual. Secure all your schools. That's all I have to say. Thank you, ma'am. Madam Clerk. That's it. Okay, that moves us into item number two. Josh Rang. Good evening commissioners. I'm here before you tonight with some of the members of the airport commission board the Honor of George Futral, and asked for your consideration in dedicating the Duke Plum County Airport Terminal Building in his memory. I want to share the resolution with you all if I may. Resolution in honoring Mr. George H. Futral, whereas George H. Futral was a true aviation enthusiast and dedicated advocate for all things aviation. Demonstrating his passion for flying from a young age and following in his father's footsteps to obtain his pilot certificate at age 16. And whereas Mr. Futreff furthered his education at the North Community College and the University of Mount Olive, equipping himself with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of aviation. And whereas Mr. Futural exhibited an unwavering commitment to the Dukeland County Airport serving as a dedicated employee for 34 years and playing an instrumental role in its growth and success as its director and as the Dukeland County Assistant Manager for five years. And whereas Mr. Futre not only contribute to the development of the Dukeland County Airport, but also served as a spiritual leader to his community, providing guidance and support to those around him. And whereas George H Fut Futur was an expertise and passion for aviation and extended beyond his local community as evidenced by his role as the former North Carolina Airport Association President and his active participation in airports and panels. And whereas the Duke and County Airport Commission recognizing the significant contributions of George H. Future unanimously recommended a resolution to honor his exceptional service to Dukeland County. Now therefore be it resolved that the Dukeland County Board of Commissioners extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of George H. Futre. We're recognizing the profound impact he had on the aviation community and the county of Duplum. Mr. Futre was passionate and relentless pursuit of progress has resulted in the Duplum County airport when one of the county's most treasured assets. Be it further resolved that a plaque honoring the life and legacy of Mr. George H. Futur will be prominently displayed at a Duke County Airport, serving as a testament to his invaluable contributions and as an inspiration to future generations of aviation enthusiasts. My all who passers-doors be reminded of Mr. Futures dedication to making Duke and County Airport one of the brightest stars in the North Carolina aviation landscape. Thank you. I would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution to dedicate a Duke and County Airport terminal building to George H. Future for his 34 years of service to the airport and authorized me to sign it. I got a motion in a second. Any further discussion? Here in none, all in favor say aye. unanimous. Thank you. I see that you got several members of the board here, The you got several members of the board here, but I would like if y'all would to come forward and let's take a picture of the turnout because all of you that have visited the airport, you know, knows what George Future has done. Everyone of you on the airport board, it looks to me like we're missing one member, maybe two. Maybe two members of the board. I think that shows a lot that the board all showed up tonight for this recognition. Likewise, those of you that knew George Futural as the assistant county manager also knows his dedication. And we miss him a lot when we lost George, but obviously we know that God needed George, obviously worse than we needed George. And he'll give us the strength to carry on. And I would just like for the board to come up and line up in front of us and let's get a picture. Do you have the resolution? I thought you did. So if Josh, if you would hold a resolution and the board, we get up in front of this board, we'll all stand up and let's get a picture. I would not be doing George the proper care if I didn't tell you tonight and this proof of people up here can back it up. Our meeting was the third Tuesday of every month and it was a parking bean meeting. And George started a parking bean in the long time ago. And we had Pork and Beans for everyone of our Gordon Beans. And Josh is kept it up. Pork and Bean. Pork and Bean. Pork and Bean. Everybody know about the pork and bean. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Appreciate your service. Thank you sir. Thank you all. Appreciate your service. Everybody knows about the poor job. Just parking beans. That's all. Big thick pork chop about that big. I mean about that thick and about that big around. And's a beans with it. But it's a corking beans. All right, that brings us to item number three, Mr. Tracy Simmons, Carnegie. Good evening, fellow commissioners and chairman. Have a couple of items tonight for you guys. The first one on the agenda will combine them together. The first one is the 2023 community will disease annual report as well as the 2023 child fatality annual report. So by general statute, both of these reports have to be presented for your review, completed and reviewed and presented to you guys on an annual basis. And so both of those are in your packet. If there's any questions that you may have. Do we have a question? I do not. Okay. We will. Okay. The second agenda request is, wait, so we'll do it in steps if that's okay with you guys. Um, the first is, um, I'd like to ask for acceptance of the access bridge program for COVID-19 vaccines. It's AA 719. It's some state and federal funding. This is to help support operational support for the health department to improve COVID-19 vaccine access for uninsured and underinsured adults through the CDC bridge access program. So first I'd like to accept the funds for AA719 in a total of 64,858 dollars. And authorize budget for them. Yes, sir. Pleasure to board. We've got a motion in a second. Any further discussion? Here and none. I'll in favor say aye. All opposed. Same sign. Carry. Okay. The second request is the approval to create a new public health nurse two position at a grade 66 and the approval to create a new foreign language interpreter position at a grade 56. These positions will help support this bridge access program as well as 65% of the funding for these positions will be paid by the RFA 411, which was approved December 18th for supporting women's health. And the remaining 35% will be paid for with the access program we just accepted. Pleasure to go forward. I got a motion in a second. Father's question. That this two positions that also needs grant funds will cover their. Yes, sir. 100% of it will be funded between these two agreement addendas. And they're aware that they they knew how high ease would're aware that these new how high reads would be aware that this is a grant funded position. That is correct. We'll be included on the job description just like all the other ones have been. Any more discussion? Here and now all in favor say aye. All opposed same side. Carry thank you. Thank you. All right that loses to other number five. Mr. Joe Kins. Good evening. Good evening. I'm here tonight to get approval for a amendment to technical services agreement but really is to bring up this feet on a project. Doop and County received grant funding from the Golden Leave Foundation is the site program to build a water supply well at West Park and the amount of grant funding that was procured was just short of a million dollars. It was 999,150. Their maximum allocation is 1 million. So we advertise the project and we only receive one bidder and we re-advertise and we receive two bidders. I provide the bid tabulation to you but the construction is over budget, considerably over budget. Many of the unit prices I saw were considerably higher than what I was expecting. I'm sure you're aware that all, you know, everywhere that you turn, there are problems with supply chain issues, inflation, instruction prices are through the roof these days. I've had conversations with some of the well contractors and one of them in particular did not want to bid a project because he did not want to be the prime contractor, meaning that he didn't want to have to deal with the other issues associated with the overall well-construction. He didn't want to have to deal with them. Well-housed with the site piping, chemical feed systems, and such. And so I think it would say, of course, if we could break this contract down into two contracts. One would be exclusively well drilling and the other contract would deal with well house site piping, everything else that would make the well complete. It would take substantial drafting to do this work. And so I'm asking for additional compensation in the amount of $3,500. As an additional engineering service, so that we can break this project down into smaller components and see if we can save some money in construction cost. I know the site program their limit is 1 billion dollars and of course I have Scotty Somerlin here in the room with as well as Jeff Williams. Scotty has reached out to you see if if if golden leaf would provide additional funding but Scotty I haven't talked to you lately but I have not seen any response from golden leaf. So but I was part of a larger issue this even if we can bring construction cost down we're still going to be out of budget. I do not know of any grother grant funding agencies that would support this type of application. I know that the I know that Dupin County does have additional funds in the water and the water fund that could help supplement this project. We could also apply for golden leaf, excuse me not golden leaf, but USDA funding, which they could provide a certain level of grant funding as well. But most of that would be loan. So I'm here tonight to get permission to move forward with re-biting the project as two contracts to get permission to move forward with rebitting the project as two contracts and see where we land in construction lines. If we move then to redo in the contract to get two V-inch and you're talking about one of them's well-drilling and the other one is the housing and so forth. Right? Yes, sir. Is the money that we have appropriated, as it got to be divided accordingly, or could you build a whale and then So, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know to exclusively pay for one contract over another. The funding source that you currently have would serve to pay for both contracts. Okay, cause I just wanna make sure that it hadn't previously been a total project, you know, and we had to be all run because if it hadn't been all run, there was not a lot of value in breaking it down. Yes, sir. If you, I know that you're all busy and you may not have looked at the bid tabulation, but for the well house, the well house is basically a 20 foot by 20 foot grid building. And the well house bid item only serves as concrete and masonry, it doesn't have any electrical component to it. And the prices for the well houses sell for 316 thousand nine hundred dollars and one was 228 thousand dollars. So there's a big discrepancy between those two prices and those prices are or they're pretty darn high for a 20 by 20 brick building. So and I think that if you break it down into two contracts, I think that you'll have more than two bitters and if there's more competition, then there's more of an advantage there and that they made lower their prices for the construction of the well. There are plenty of contracts out there that would be willing to do the other work as well. Besides the well, what's this? It will be a 300 gallon gallon 300 gallon per minute well It's a ten inch well hopefully it will produce a lot more than 300 gallons per minute. That's that's the guarantee Okay, what's the pleasure board? Yes Is there any advantage to course. Yeah. Is there any advantage to consider increasing the funds to bring about more bitters to participate in the project? Would there be any? The bitters are not aware. I never make the bitter aware of the project budget. Sometimes they ask often they will ask, well, what is your anticipated construction budget? And I'm obligated to tell them that. But bidders, now it's, it's public knowledge that could find out if they wanted to, but I do not reveal to them the total project calls. But it wasn't, and your experience, it wouldn't excite anyone else to. No, sir. Okay. One problem that you face, I don't wanna take too much of your time, but there's, I'd say in the last five years, you've had two local well-drillers that are basically retired. So there's really only three or four work. There's only four well-drillers out there, right? Now that we're, that better local and not to do this project And only two of them did But if I'm understanding the thought process if you get it broke out The well-drillers will be bidding just on well-drilling yes, and then Well, drillers will be bidden just on well drilling. Yes, and then someone else will be building be bitten on the supply. Yes, sir. And you think that will be able to help us get more people involved? Yes, sir. Reduced the cost. Really what it comes down to is there are well drillers that they don't they do not want to be the prime contractor. They don't want to have to deal with all of the other issues associated with the total construction. And they've come out and said it. Seems like a whole lot of mud. And I know that in the past as I reveal these prices to you, this is not drilling an agricultural well. There's a lot more to it. You have a lot of testing you have to do and the testing is very expensive. And you have to you have chemical feed systems that you have to have in place as well. Chlorine polyphosphate. But let's make it real clear again if you don't mind exactly what you're asking for us to approve tonight. What I'm asking you to approve tonight is to allow me to Change the project into two contracts and then advertise for bids To in order to reduce construction costs and And you said that was gonna cost us approximately 35,000 dollars. 35,000 dollars. 35,000 dollars. Yes sir. Okay. That's just to do the paperwork. Yes sir. Ladies and gentlemen, where have you been in the building? Yes, I've been awareie and Mr. McKimmy were working towards a solution. I think the $3,500 increase to the contract could potentially save the county hundreds of thousands moving forward with this project. Yes, sir. Yeah, you're here to be part of getting us this money. Yes, you're willing. I'm going to be speaking. I'll expand a little bit more tomorrow morning. How important this project is to what we're trying to do long term with our industrial part of Joe Gibb and Jim, just making 100,000 gallons would be dedicated to West Far as well as Jeff and I have spoken that that type of accounting book calls and I've also spoken to Joe about our limitations with capacity use rules that in the grand scheme of things having a hundred thousand I'm having a million dollars from Goat and Leaf is major and the small amount that Mr. McKeev is asking forward, I think it's definitely just fine. I think the project really needs to happen. We're trying to do an economic development and building our industrial parks, building capacity down the roof. Yeah, I don't know if it's more than a product development. We're talking about. Thank you, Mr. President. Okay, well, I'm gonna say this to the board. If we don't allow them to split it and get bids, then the project's probably gonna die on the buy-in because the price is unacceptable. So the $3,500 business of chance at being able to carry this project forward. But, you know, if you make the decision tonight not to do that, you're probably making the decision tonight. You can't approach it. Not that that's the decision you're making. I'm just saying that, you know, I don't see us being able to do it at the price that he's got. And this well is critical. Okay. So I got a motion and accept motion and a second to accept the read and I'm not reading it like it's written here. make sure we're we're straight understand and that you're going to break the project down into two parts and we are pass on this pay $3,500 to break it down and rebit it in the two different segments. Yes, sir. Two different contracts. Okay. That's what that's what you'll make a motion forward in a second. Correct? You want to make sure any further discussion. I'm happy to have plenty of discussion. Well, everybody clear because I think everybody's saying we need it. Just don't look like we can afford it. And I think this is our only chance of being able to make it work So before we vote it is gonna make sure everybody understands No more discussion All in favor say aye aye all opposed same side Okay, thank you. Thank you. It means to drag it out. I just I don't want this project fail when you know I just hug this works Yes, are well. I'm look look at the you know if you want to look at the bid tabulations $10,000 from one valve is it's pretty Exorbit Yes, sir Okay, that brings us to item number six Madam clerk Okay, that brings us to item number six. Madam Clerk. Commissioners, Trillium is many of you know that East Point, our previous LME, MCO, that's local management entity or managed care organization merged with Trillium to form one organization. They took the Trillium name. So before you had a representative appointed to East Point, what Trillium is asking is that you appoint a new representative for the Trillium Board now that East Point has dissolved. And this is to handle, they provide mental health services. that would like to be that appointee. Okay. So right now Mr. Dioff has volunteers. But it's the pleasure to board. I make a motion to appoint Commissioner Dioff. Okay. He got a motion in a second any further discussion Here and none I'll leave favor say aye all opposed Mr. Dowell thank you all right, so we're not having a closed session so I'd entertain a motion to recess Still in the morning Mr. Chairman. Oh fuck it want to let the board know that the rodeo that was held at the New Plain Event Center was a success. We totaled total profit was 26,715 dollars and 56 cents. The rodeos seemed to be very consistent with the profit I think there was one dollar difference between last year and this year and of course there were two events held one the night and one the 10th. The Monster Truck Show was also a great success. There were four shows for the Monster Truck Show. All four shows were sold out. We don't have the numbers on that yet, but we expect those soon. The James Sprunk Foundation is hosting their annual casino night on Friday, February 23rd at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Dupland Country Club. Contributions go directly to impacted James. The event will be held at the Dupland Country Club. Contributions go directly to Impact at James, Sprung Community College, STUDA, Tickets are $55 each. For more information on ticket purchases, you can call Taylor Sandwin at 910-275-6152. I want to remind everybody that early voting is underway. February 19th through March 1st, Monday through Friday, hours are 8 am to 7.30 pm, and on Saturday, March 2nd from 8 am to 3 pm. Election days, Tuesday, March 5 5th polling locations are open from 6.30 to 7.30 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and if you'll give me just a minute. So the totals for both sites are 358 voters thus far. Total for Keenan's view is 244. Total for Wallace is 114. Total number of voters today as of 5.45 pm just for today is 69 and Keenan's and 40 in Lovis. Any questions about early voting voting? Did you say 630 to 7 630 AM to 730 P730? OK. That's Tuesday, March 5th. It's early voting is 8 AM tom. to 7 30 p.m. Yeah, the question. So just a few more days transportation the whole only thing holding up the certificate of occupancy is stopping the parking lot. We expect that to happen this week. We should receive the certificate certificate of occupancy shortly thereafter. The senior and veteran services center is on schedule. Things are going well with that project. The animal services center, the final touches, punch list stuff, that's underway. We expect the CO the first week of March. The detention center processes are moving forward. We're processing an RFP for a commissioning agent. You may see that advertised in the paper. Moving forward with ECS for environmental processes, for the environmental processes, for the environmental assessment, the NEPA review, if required, and for the special inspections. Carry in our moving forward with the red leg programs through the electrical cooperatives and the state. Moasley is preparing an AIA construction contract for Daniels and Daniels for Tim's review So I'm happy to answer any questions about any of those things or any other thing that you have questions about Yeah, I got questions animal shelter you said we would be in their wing First week or two of March. Okay. Let me close. Like they're really down to the punch list kind of stuff. You know, touch up the pain, fix this here, fix that there. So we expect the CO the first two weeks. Anything else? Meeting in the morning stars at seven yes it does seven clock yes sir all right I'd entertain a motion to recess until February the 20th at seven o'clock a.m. for a joint meeting with the DeMont development at James front community college. Boy, yeah, building room 113 got a motion. That's that's good. Got a second. Any further discussion here and none all in favor say aye. Kerry see you in the morning.