c080513 II Project LibertyClosed Session II (Project Liberty) August 5, 2013
At 7:50 p.m., the Board, already in closed session on another matter, began closed session on
a different matter to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents
concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the price
and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by
purchase, option, exchange, or lease, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) and to discuss
matters related to the location or expansion of business in the area served by this body pursuant
to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4). Commissioners Holmes, Frye, 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 Scotton, Associate County
Attorney; Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to the Board; Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the Board and
Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County EDC President.
Aimee Scotton provided some general information for the Commissioners, should they wish
to proceed with securing the acquisition of property for the proposed Liberty mega site using the
State grant money. For the property owned by Dexter Blakely, Ms. Scotton said that Mr. Blakely
is aware that the idea of post -closing leases is not acceptable. He has indicated that he is still
interested in selling and that he will have drafts of clean contracts (with no post -closing
obligations) within the next 60 days. At that point, the new proposals can be considered. She
also advised that Alpath has an option to purchase the Lindley property that will expire towards
the end of this year. Ms. Scotton suggested that if the Board decides that it wants to move
forward, once it has something definite to consider from Mr. Blakely, then there are a number of
ways to structure the arrangement. She asked the Board to consider the level of direct control
that the County wishes to maintain if we move forward, as that will determine how best to
structure the purchase agreement and, ultimately, the ownership of the property.
After discussion, the Board decided that there should be some discussion of this project in
open session at the Board's September meeting.
At 8: 26 pm, closed session ended on this topic.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board