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368 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in special session in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Gabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Thursday, September 4, 1997., at 5:30 P.M. to consider the four items listed in the Notice of Special Meeting dated August 20, 1997. Present - Chairman: Sue B. Casper Vice-Chairman: Carolyn B. Carpenter Commissioners: Jeffrey L. Barnhart Kenneth Mills Franklin C. Niblock, Jr. Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Chairman Casper called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Presentation by Representatives of the Gabarrus County Agricultural Fair~ Inc. Mr. Clifton presented an Action Summary concerning the Fair Association and County Property. The Fair currently operates on 12 acres of property deeded by the County to the Fair in 1955 plus 14 acres of land leased from the County on a year-to-year basis. A proposal is pending for the termination of the year-to- year lease of the 14 acres of County-owned property as of October 1, 1998. Plans are to sell the 14 acres along with adjacent County property at the intersection of Highway 601 and Cabarrus Avenue. Mr. Harold McEachern, General Manager of the Fair, stated for the record that the Fair had not received the report presented by Mr. Clifton and requested a copy of the report. (A copy was provided to Mr. McEachern.) He asked that the Board seriously consider the issue, stating that termination of the lease or the sale of the property before the Fair can relocate or make other arrangements will "kill the Fair." Further, Mr. McEachern stated the willingness of the Fair to work with the County in resolving this issue. Mr. Irvin Newberry, part owner of Newberry, Cathey & Company, Certified Public Accountants, reviewed projected revenues and expenses of the Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair, Inc. for the period 1997-2006 if (1) the Fair continues to operate as is with no significant changes; (2) the 14 acres of County-owned land are no longer available for use by the Fair; and (3) the Fair relocates. He also reviewed a summary of assumptions to the statements of projected income. Mr. Estus White, President of the Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair, Inc., reviewed the history of the Agricultural Fair, its current operation and plans for the future. He reported that petitions submitted prior to the meeting contained over 4,500 signatures for the Fair to remain at its current location. Mr. Tom Grady, Attorney for the Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair, Inc., asked on behalf of the Fair Board of Directors that the Board of' Commissioners appoint two of its members to work with two Fair Board members to find a suitable location and to work out arrangements for financing and moving the Fair. Chairman Casper accepted the request. She stated she would notify the Fair within five working days of the appointment of two Board members to work with the Fair. Notice of Termination for Lease Agreement with the Gabarrus County Agricultural Fair, Inc. (August 12, 1997 Agenda - Item There was discussion regarding the Fair, its location and support of the ~Fair. Commissioner Barnhart made a motion to terminate the lease with the Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair, Inc. effective October 1, 1998 with the possibility of going to a month-to-month lease thereafter. The motion was seconded by Chairman Casper. Commissioner Carpenter asked that the motion be amended to include the requested appointment of two Board members to work with two members of the Fair Board.