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15 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina met in recessed regular session in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2001, for a retreat and work session. Present - Chairman: Arne L. Fennel Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth Commissioners: Robert M. Freeman Coy C. Privette Richard D. Suggs Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County. Manager; Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; Mr. Blair D. Bennett, Deputy County Manager for Administration; Mr. John Day, Deputy County Manager for Operations; Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning Services Director; Mr. Mike Downs, Development Services Director; Ms. Pam Dubois, Assistant Finance Director; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Chairman Fennel called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Suggs was not present for the beginning of the meeting. Commissioner Pro~ect Overview Briefing - Expo Facility and Hotel/Convention Center Mr. Clifton gave an overview of the Fairground and Exposition Center to be located on Highway 49 and Old Airport Road. Phase I of the project will include a multi-use events center, exhibit halls, Fair Midway area and associated site development. The architects are currently doing the design work with construction to be completed in time for the Fair in September 2002. Mr. Clifton discussed possible methods of financing, including the use of County reserve funds and/or a lease purchase arrangement. The architects will meet with the Board on February 15, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. to review the proposed Master Plan. Ms. Debbie Bost, County Extension Director, responded to questions concerning the possible expansion of the Fair to a 10-day event and potential uses of the facility. Mr. Clifton gave a brief update on the status of the hotel/convention center to be located off Speedway Boulevard. The project will consist of a publicly owned convention center adjacent to a 300-room hotel owned by John Q. Hammons Hotels. The estimated cost of the convention center is $15 million. Negotiations are continuing on the various agreements as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the County, the City of Concord, John Q. Hammons Hotels and the Tourism Authority. The MOU is to be completed by March 7, 2001. Commissioner Suggs arrived 'at 7:00 p.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting. There was discussion concerning the proposed convention center, including the meth6d of financing, potential uses of the facility, the profitability of the project and concerns by other hotel/motel owners that they are collecting a tax to pay for a convention center to be located adjacent to a competing hotel. Mr. Clifton proposed that the County maximize commercial revenues for both the Expo project and the Convention Center through advertising and corporate sponsorships. After discussion, the Board by consensus authorized Mr. Clifton to pursue the services of a consulting firm to do a marketing analysis concerning sponsorships and naming rights options for both facilities. $40 Million COPS Financing for New School Pro~ects - Public Hearing Mr. Steve Cordell, Attorney with Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, gave a brief overview of the proposed $40 million financing for~'the construction of three new schools. Chairman Fennel expressed disappointment about statements in a recent newspaper article concerning the school construction bids. He stated Mr. Joe Sides, Construction Manager for the three new schools, had been quoted as saying, "it is good to have extra money to play with."- For the record, Chairman Fennel stated that we are not going to have anybody ,playing around" with that money and that it is to be used effectively and efficiently.