FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Agenda Session Meeting held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2025, in Room 564 the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Commissioner Glenn Adams led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Kirk deViere called for a moment of silence in remembrance of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, honoring the lives lost and recognizing the courage of first responders, survivors, and families forever impacted.
1. AGENDA
The Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes:
2. PRESENTATION
A. Soil and Water Stream Debris Removal Update
Soil and Water Conservationist Mitch Miller provided an update in response to questions raised at the Aug. 14, 2025 Agenda Session. He shared details about stream debris removal and protection programs in Cumberland County.
3. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEMS
The Board moved the following items to the Sept. 15, 2025, Consent Agenda unless otherwise noted.
A. Transfer of Governance of the FACVB to the TDA:
The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) Board of Directors adopted amendments to its articles of incorporation and bylaws, effective July 1, 2025, dissolving its board and transferring governance to the Cumberland County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Since the Board of County Commissioners created the FACVB in 1997, approval was required to amend its bylaws.
B. Proposed Amendment to Rule 20 of the Board's Rules of Procedure
At its Aug. 24, 2025, meeting, the Board reviewed proposed amendments to Rule 20. The Policy Committee recommended counting the vote of any member absent without an excused absence as an affirmative vote on all motions. The Board previously declined to adopt this language and directed it to be reconsidered. The item was referred back to the Policy Committee for additional review.
C. Crown Theatre and Arena Request for Qualifications and Proposals
On June 4, 2025, the Board directed County Manager Grier to prepare a Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/RFP) for renovating or modernizing the Crown Theatre and Arena. In a 5-2 vote, the Board directed County Manager Grier to prepare a RFQ for modernizing the Crown Theatre and Arena and to include all updates to meet ADA compliance with either joint and separate approaches.
D. Gillespie Street Parking Lot and Future Steps
Following the decision not to construct the Crown Event Center, the Board discussed future uses for the vacant Gillespie Street lot. A public survey was launched through County channels on Sept. 4, 2025. The Board directed County Manager Grier to work the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation to engage on economic development options for the Gillespie Street lot site and to present the final community survey results at the Oct. 9, 2025 Board of Commissioners Agenda Session meeting.
E. County Courthouse Parking
Staff presented options to address reduced parking availability at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse following changes to the Crown Event Center site and Gillespie Street lot.
F. Request to Waive the Vaccine and Administration Fee for COVID, Flu, and RSV
The Department of Public Health recommended continuing to waive administration fees for uninsured and underinsured adults receiving flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines during the 2025 - 2026 season. Fees for insured patients will remain unchanged. The Board of Health endorsed the recommendation at its Aug. 18, 2025, meeting, and vaccines are expected to be available at the Health Department beginning in October. County Manager Grier recommended $200,000 to support vaccine waivers, with future funding requests to be presented to the Board as needed.
G. Proposed Changes to the Health Departments Billing Manual for Out of County Residents
Public Health Director Dr. Green recommended removing the residency requirement for maternal and child health clinics to improve continuity of care. The Board of Health approved this change in June 2025. Proposed updates allow up to 15 months of care for non-residents who began services in Cumberland County, patients referred by other County clinics, and children in the County foster care system. The Board requested quarterly reports on out-of-county patients and voted 6 - 1 to place this item on the Sept. 15, 2025, agenda as an Item of Business.
H. NCDEQ Public Outreach for Natural Gas Alarm Distribution
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) is assessing methane at the former Cliffdale Landfill, which operated from 1972 to 1980. A methane mitigation system is being designed, and NCDEQ will hold a public information session to address concerns of nearby property owners. They also plan to offer free in-home natural gas alarms. County staff will hold the outreach event at the Lake Rim Recreation Center.
4. OTHER ITEMS
The Board approved two proclamations recognizing:
5. MONTHLY REPORTS
A. Financial Report
B. Health Insurance Update
C. Grant Report
D. Capital Improvement Project Report
6. CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 2:46 p.m.
The next Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will be Monday, Sept. 15, at 6:45 p.m. The next Agenda Session will be Thursday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions are livestreamed through the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. All documents associated with this meeting can be found on the Cumberland County website to include meeting agendas, minutes and links to the videos under the Board of Commissioners tab. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.