121409 special joint City of Asheboro-Zoo studyDecember 14, 2009 -Special Joint Meeting with Asheboro City Council
At 5:30 p.m., the Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in a special joint meeting with the
Asheboro City Council in the Commissioners Meeting Room of the County Office Building, 725
McDowell Road. Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Haywood, Kemp and Lanier were present, as well as
County Manager Richard Wells; Darren Allen, County Attorney; Aimee Scotton, Associate County
Attorney; Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to the Board; and Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the Board. Asheboro
City Council members Linda Carter, Stuart Fountain, Clark Bell, Talmadge Baker, Eddie Burks, Linda
Carter, Walker Moffitt, Mayor David Smith were present, as well as John Ogburn, City Manager; Jeff
Sugg, City Attorney and Holly Doerr, City Clerk.
Call to Order
Chairman Holmes called the meeting to order for the County and welcomed everyone. Mayor Smith
called the meeting to order for the City.
Public Hearing
At 5:33 p.m., Chairman Holmes said that the purpose of the meeting was to hear a request from the
N.C. Zoo and to hold a public hearing, which he declared open on behalf of the County. Mayor Smith
opened the public hearing on behalf of the City.
Dr. David Jones, Executive Director, North Carolina Zoological Park, asked the Boards to consider
partially funding a feasibility study for the development of a third continent at the Zoo: Asia, together
with a possible related attraction destined for private land (270 acres) which the Zoo Society has recently
purchased. The study will cost a maximum of $150,000. He proposed that the Zoo fund half the cost of
the study, with the remainder coming from the County Commissioners ($25,000), Asheboro City Council
($25,000), Economic Development Corporation ($12,500) and the Tourism Development Authority
($12,500). He said that despite the economic situation, we need to find the resources to carry out the study
now so that we are well positioned to attract potential commercial partners once the situation eases and
both the State Legislature and anybody wishing to work with us are more confident of finding the
necessary capital funding. He said there is no question that the principal beneficiaries in terms of job
creation and tax spin-off will be Randolph County and Asheboro City. He said that the total local
economic impact of the Zoo is around $50 million annually and that we are looking at potentially tripling
that figure with this plan.
Dr. Jones provided information on the economics and requirements of the study, and a proposed
feasibility study agreement for the Boards to consider.
Dr. Jones answered questions from the Boards. He stated that three companies had been recommended
to him to perform the study, but others will be considered also. He hopes to let bids in February so that the
study can commence in April or May of 2010, and finish in late summer.
Dale Lambert, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Chairman, said that the EDC Board
supports this endeavor and has voted to fund the study at $12,500.
Hal Johnson, Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Chairman, echoed the comments of Mr.
Lambert and added that the Zoo is the hub of Randolph County tourism. He said that the TDA will
support this project, as well.
Kim Markham, Asheboro Recycling, spoke in support of this study and challenges the Zoo Society
to look at local resources.
Dr. Jones stated that this expansion has the support of the State legislature.
Both Boards expressed concern that no one from the Zoo Society was in attendance at this meeting.
Dr. Jones assured the Boards that this project is fully supported by the Zoo Society.
Both Boards expressed their desire for a new, long-lasting partnership with the zoo, with respect to
mutual benefits to the zoo, city and county.
Hearing no further comments, the County and City declared the public hearing closed.
Consideration of Reguest
Following discussion, the Boards decided to place the request on each of their January meeting
agendas for consideration and asked that Russ Williams, Zoo Society Executive Director, be present to
answer questions.
Adjournment
At 6:23 p.m., there being no further business, both Boards adjourned.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board