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February 3, 2003 Page 39 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in Gold Hall II at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord, North Carolina, on Monday, February 3, 2003, at 5:30 p.m. Present - Chairman: Robert M. Freeman Vice Chairman: Richard D. Suggs Commissioners: Carolyn B. Carpenter Robert W. Carruth Coy C. Privette Also present were Mr. John Day, Interim County Manager; Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning and Zoning Services Director; Mr. Mike Downs, Public Safety Services Director; Mr. John Page, General Services Director; Mr. Mark Chappuis, Expo General Manager; Ms. Debbie Bost, Cooperative Extension Director; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Others present for the meeting included the Ms. Ann Sternal, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and Tourism Authority Board members Jay Howard, Aubie Cook, Alan Stafford and John Cox. Also present were the following representatives from the Agricultural Fair Board: Harold McEachern; Joe Fries; Newton Fowler; Jo Coble; J. W. McGee, Jr.; Doris Rogers; Marvin Bost; James Lentz; Matt Barrier; E. E. Bishop; and Bob Baucom. Mr. Arne Fennel, former County Commissioner, was also present. Following dinner, Chairman Freeman called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and welcomed those present to the meeting. Commissioner Privette delivered the invocation. Mr. Day introduced Susan Carter, who has been hired as the Sales and Marketing Specialist for the Expo facility. Mr. Day reported that the Board had identified "making the Expo facility self-supporting" as a long-term goal during a January work session. To help accomplish this goal, the County had hired David Forkner, Consultant with Bullock, Smith and Partners, Inc., to review existing conditions at the facility and to make suggestions concerning improvements necessary for the upcoming Fair as well as identify future improvements to expand the opportunities for using the facility. Mr. Forkner gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding trends in the development of Fairgrounds and events centers along with design elements and layouts. He addressed the need for improvements to the Midway area for the Fair and other events, including paved walkway with water and sewer and electrical hookups. Mr. Forkner also discussed other needs such as facilities to accommodate equine events, accommodations for civic groups, development of a food court and adequate parking. There was discussion regarding the Expo and potential uses of the facility. Mr. Forkner responded to a number of questions regarding such issues as the operation of this type of facility, lack of hotels/motels in the immediate area surrounding the Expo and comparison of the Expo facility with a convention center. In addition to the improvements to the Midway area, Mr. Forkner identified the following three priorities that he stated the County should address: (1) Develop a mission statement for the facility; (2) Do a marketing study to identify opportunities for use of the facility; and (3) Establish a capital maintenance fund for the facility. At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Forkner stated he would be working during the evening to draw recommended facilities, such as a horse barn, on the Expo site plan. He will review those recommendations during a meeting at 12:00 noon on Tuesday at the Expo. The Board by general agreement asked Mr. Day to provide information at the February 17th meeting concerning the development of a mission statement and initiation of a marketing study for the Expo facility. There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Freeman recessed the meeting at 7:50 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2003, at the Mt. Pleasant High School Cafeteria. Clerk to the Board