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March 8, 2004 Page 383 Ms. Porter questioned the company officials on several provisions of a proposed contract, including the amount of deposit, due diligence period and commission. Sam Salloum of Salloum Ventures, LLC, reviewed proposed plans for the former Cabarrus Bank and Trust Building that included retail, office and a restaurant on the first floor, a day care center on the second floor and residential on either two or three floors. Architects for the project will be Martin Boal Anthony and Johnson (MBAJ) Architecture. Architect Rob Johnson reviewed MBAJ's experience in historic upfits. Ms. Porter questioned Mr. Salloum regarding the proposed contract, including the amount of deposit and an issue relating to tax credits. Commissioner Carpenter asked about the potential need for the County to use the former Cabarrus Bank and Trust Building to house such offices as Probation and Parole that are currently located in the County Courthouse. She also questioned the County's eligibility for tax credits associated with the building. Mr. Day advised that the County would not be eligible for tax credits but the building could be used for office space. However, he pointed out that the Board had agreed in January 2003 to plan for future jail/court facilities and to pursue selling the bank building. There was discussion regarding the proposed sale of the bank building. These included the addition of new businesses to the downtown area, the current lease with Wachovia for a portion of the building and the possibility of working with Preservation North Carolina in selling the property. Vice Chairman Suggs stated the purchase price should be a minimum of $1.3 million. It was generally agreed that the County should seek a higher amount than the current bids. Economic Development Lobbying Efforts Chairman Freeman commented on the July 2003 layoff of 3,800 employees by Pillowtex, the County's high unemployment rate and the large number of foreclosures that are occurring in Cabarrus County. He stated the need to replace those jobs and bring economic development to the community. Further, he reported a number of other counties have hired lobbyists to work at the local, state and federal level to seek funds for their communities. There was discussion by the Board regarding a number of issues associated with attracting new jobs to the County. These included a low tax rate, expectations of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the need to work with local municipalities, and the current use of lobbyists by the City of Concord and Mecklenburg County. Joe D. McClees, President of McClees Consulting, Inc., presented a brief overview of his experience as a lobbyist in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and the United States Congress. He emphasized the need to know how to find monies from different government processes, including both state and federal. Mr. McClees discussed the loss of jobs caused by the closing of Pillowtex and the need to act quickly to seek funding to address needs in the community. Henri McClees, Vice President of McClees Consulting, briefly discussed the role of a lobbyist. Mr. Day pointed out that the one-year anniversary of the Pillowtex closing is approaching. He commented on the "window of opportunity" that remains to seek federal funds to provide assistance in the community. UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Suggs, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board directed the County Manager to begin the process to put together information regarding potential lobbyists, including Joe McClees, for future consideration by the Board. Mr. Day indicated he would contact local municipalities on an informal basis regarding the services of a lobbyist. Continued Discussion on the Proposed Zoning Text Amendment [Petition C2003- 03(T)] Regarding the Agricultural and Open Space District