c020413_III Project LibertyClosed Session III (Project Liberty)February 4, 2013
At 8:19 p.m., the Board, already in closed session on another matter, began closed session on
it different matter relating to the location or expansion of business in (he area, pursuant to NCGS
143-318.11(a)(4). Commissioners IJolmes, Prye, Kemp, Lanier and Haywood were present. Also
present were County Manager Richard Wells; Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance
Officer; Ben Morgan, County Attorney; Aimee Section, Associate County Attorney; Cheryl
Ivey, Clerk to the Board; and Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County RDC president.
Bonnic Renfro updated the Board on the Liberty mega site project, saying that the meeting
held in Asheboro on January 22 that had been attended by representatives from County of
Randolph, City of Greensboro, Cormty of Guilford, Piedmont"17iad Partnership, Duke Energy,
NC Railroad, and Real Estate Broker F.R. Gallimore, had been a very positive one. The City of
Greensboro continues to be very interested in partnering with the County at some point Duke
Energy and Nor -folk Southern are also eager to assist. 'The reality is that it is imperative we
determine quickly how to make the Liberty site the best choice for the mega site. It appears that
the two Davidson County sites are our greatest competition, but extremely inflated propcity
prices will likely be a deal killer for those Davidson sites. Guilford County has also expressed
interest in the project and once all 1,000 acres have either been purchased or optioned to
purchase using the State grant funds (51,666,666), we will formally engage Guilford County as a
potential partner.
Will Massie asked the Board to start thinking about how they would like to structure inter-
local agreements. Specific points to consider are 1) amount of funding the County would
contribute; 2) level, length, and cquitability of revenue sharing; and 3) governance for the
project
County Manager Richard Wells said that contracts had been signed between Randolph
County and Real Estate Broker H.R. Gallimore and Attorney David Joseph to act on the
County's behalf in negotiating with property owners to secure the properties. Everyone agreed
that securing as much of the property at the Liberty site as soon as possible was critical.
At 8:41 p.m., closed session ended on this topic.
On nvodon of Niye, seconded by Kemp, Che Board voted unanimously to end closed session
and to resume open session.
i
J . r d Holmes, Cha,rhran
� f
... ..
ud p
Arnold Lanier
Approved: March 11, 2013
D rreli—� "
/L
Sian Haywood
Cheryl .Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to card