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March 19, 2018 (Regular Meeting) Page 3495 <br />WHEREAS, these circumstances are real and pervasive and unreasonably interfere <br />with the public health, safety, peace, comfort and convenience of the <br />citizens and residents of the County and of the County itself; and <br />WHEREAS, on the advice of legal counsel, it appears to the Board that the <br />County has valid claims for damages against the opioid manufacturers <br />and distributors and possibly others for violations of constitutional, <br />statutory, decisional laws and the common law; and <br />WHEREAS, it appears that such claims are for past costs incurred by the County <br />but also for significant future costs that will be incurred to pay <br />for additional County services and for treatment, rehabilitation and <br />counseling. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners at <br />its regular monthly meeting and with a quorum present, as follows: <br />1. That there exists a crisis in Cabarrus County with the use/abuse <br />of opioids; <br />2. That the Board intends to take all reasonable actions necessary to <br />seriously lessen or eliminate this crisis; <br />3. That the Board declares the opioid crisis to be a public nuisance <br />pursuant to Article 57 of Chapter 106 of the North Carolina General <br />Statutes and N.C. Gen. Stat. 5153A-140 that needs to be abated by <br />whatever reasonable legal means are available; and <br />4. That the Board shall retain legal counsel to investigate and pursue <br />legal action against those responsible for causing and perpetuating <br />the opioid crisis in Cabarrus County. <br />ADOPTED this 19V" day of March, 2018 <br />/s/ Stephen M. Morris <br />Stephen M. Morris, Chairman <br />Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners <br />ATTEST: <br />/s/ Terri Lea Hugie <br />Terri Lea Bugle, Clerk to the Board <br />Mr. Koch read the motion required to engage legal representation for the <br />County aloud. <br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Kiger, seconded by Commissioner Shue and <br />unanimously carried, the Board approved the engagement letter agreement with <br />Simmons Healy Conroy LLC; Crueger Dickinson LLC; von Briesen and Roper so and <br />Ward Black Law to represent the County with reference to claims against the <br />opioid manufacturers and distributors and authorized the County Manager to <br />finalize the language and sign the agreement subject to review by the County <br />Attorney. <br />(G-6) Finance - Kanxuipolis Middle School's Edison Foard Construction Change <br />Order #7 <br />Susan Fearrington, Finance Director, stated Kannapolis City Schools (KCS) <br />has requested Cabarrus County to fund Change Order #7 in the amount of $424,466 <br />for the Kannapolis Middle School Construction Project. Edison Foard is the <br />contractor. The two largest items included in the change order are unsuitable <br />soils ($137,343) and theatrical lighting items ($125,404). She requested <br />direction from the Board. <br />A discussion ensued. During discussion, Dr. Chip Buckwell, Kannapolis <br />City Schools (KCS) Superintendent, Richard Koch, County Attorney, Mike Downs, <br />County Manager, and Ms. Fearrington responded to questions from the Board. <br />Chairman Morris MOVED to approve the $424,466 to Edison Foard for change <br />order #7 and to authorize the Finance Director to prepare the appropriate budget <br />amendment and project ordinance. Commissioner Kiger seconded the motion. <br />Commissioner Poole requested clarification regarding the funds used to <br />cover Change Order #7 and to amend the motion to include the use of $138,000 of <br />uncommitted funds from the furniture and fixture budget with the remaining funds <br />to come from sales tax resources to cover the costs of Change Order V. <br />