FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on June 16, 2025, at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Commissioner Marshall Faircloth led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Kirk deViere recognized State Representative Diane Wheatly who was present for the meeting.
The Board of Commissioners recognized the 2025 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Recipients. The recipients are:
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Steve Blanchard - United Way of Cumberland County
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Rhonda Bright - Rhonda’s Rainbow Family of Dance
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Vito Amoroso - American Red Cross
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Chris Brooks - American Red Cross
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Neli Manova - Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Fizzy Friends - Employment Source and United Way of Cumberland County
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Rev. Dr. Jamale Johnson - National Baptist Association, Mount Sinai MBC, Broadwell-Seabrook Community, Omega Psi Phi
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Tria Bruce - Employment Source
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Margaret Grantonic - American Red Cross
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Steven Pippenger - American Red Cross
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Wanda Smith - American Red Cross
Commissioner Marshall Faircloth presented a certificate to each award recipient.
Commissioners recognized graduates of the Cumberland County 2025 Citizens’ Academy class. Citizens’ Academy gives residents an inside look at how our departments operate and how services are delivered. The Academy launched in 2012. The program continues to provide a meaningful way to connect citizens with county leadership and strengthen civic engagement. Chairman Kirk deViere encouraged graduates to stay involved and help shape the future of Cumberland County. The graduates are:
The Board of Commissioners recognized the 4th cohort of the Cumberland County Ignite Internship Program, which was launched May 30, 2025. The cohort consists of college students and high school students. The county received 250 applications and hired and onboarded 27 interns. The following interns are placed in various county departments to complete their 10-week summer internship:
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Jackson Bryant - Community Development
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Amani Dejesus-Johnson - Community Development
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Zyann Saunders - Community Development
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Olivia Hill - Employee Wellness
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Angel Martinez - Engineering & Infrastructure
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Christian Dewitt - Human Resources
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Azelia Ellis - Human Resources
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Chloe Mukibi - Human Resources
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Charlotte Whitman - Human Resources
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Jamell Rodgers – Innovation & Technology Services
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Jack Santini - Innovation & Technology Services
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Alexander Cantero Gignac - Internal Services
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Hobbes Jernigan - Justice Services
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Adara Owens - Justice Services
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Jayla Rourk - Justice Services
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Danielle Dawson - Planning & Inspections
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Haley Filzen - Public Health
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Briana Jackson - Public Information Office
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Jenna Campbell - Public Library
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Na’imah El-Aalaamin - Public Library
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Chase Gibbs - Public Library
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Arianna Johnson - Sheriff’s Office
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Michael Rice, Jr. - Sheriff’s Office
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Jazelle Young - Sheriff's Office
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Gabriela Cantero Gignac - Soil & Water
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Andrew Forbes - Soil & Water
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Tawheed McCray - Soil & Water
A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD was held.
1. The Board voted 6-1 to approve the AGENDA with the following changes:
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Moving Consent Agenda Item 2K, Approval of Contract for Employee Childcare Center Operator, to Items of Business 4B.
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Addendum to Consent Agenda Item 2N to include a Department of Social Services additional budget amendment in the amount of $10,722.
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Removal of Item of Business 4A, Consideration of Funding Contract with NC History Center Foundation.
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Addition of Item of Business 4C, Consideration of a Contract for Crown Coliseum Renovation and associated Budget Revision #BR250343.
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Addition of Item of Business 4D, Consideration of a Change to the Ordinances Regulating Explosives on Firing Ranges and Amending Firearms Regulations.
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Addition of a Closed Session to discuss a Personnel Matter Pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(6) and Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(3).
2. The Board unanimously approved the following CONSENT AGENDA items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of January-May 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Amateur Radio Operators Week in Cumberland County
C. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Juneteenth in Cumberland County
D. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing PRIDE in Cumberland County
E. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the Liberty Point Resolves in Cumberland County
F. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
G. Approval of ABC Board’s Request to Adopt Cumberland County’s Travel Policy
H. Approval of Departmental Records Retention Schedules and Amendments
I. Approval of Lease Agreement with Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.
J. Approval of Budget Ordinance #B250008 for the Agricultural Business Assistance Policy
K. Approval of Contract for Employee Childcare Center Operator – This item was moved to Item of Business 4B.
L. Approval of Library Board of Trustee By-Law Revision
M. Approval of Community Impact Grant Recommendation
N. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the June 16, 2025 Board of Commissioners’ Agenda - An addendum was added to include a Department of Social Services additional budget amendment in the amount of $10,722.
O. Approval of Contract Amendment for Ground Mosquito Control Services Stand-By Contract.
P. Approval of Sole Source Purchase of Automatic License Plate Reader Systems for Sheriff's Office
Q. Approval of Grant Project Budget Ordinance #250207 for the Landfill Leachate PFAS Treatment
R. Approval of Contract Change Order for Solid Waste Recycling Center Fire Protection Improvements
S. Approval of Service Agreement for Asset Management and Financial Plan for NORCRESS
T. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment #250343 for the Cumberland SWCD Emergency Watershed Protection Program 25% Match
U. Approval of Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session Items
1. Black Voice Museum Project Contract Expansion and Funding Request
2. Happy Deli Franchise Agreement
3. Interlocal Agreement between Cumberland County Health Department and the City of Fayetteville
4. Memorandum of Understanding Between Board of Education and Cumberland County Emergency Services
5. Vehicle Replacement Policy
3. The following PUBLIC HEARINGS were held:
A. CASE #ZON-25-0008: Rezoning request from C1(P) Planned Local Business District and R6A Residential District to C2(P)/CZ Planned Service and Retail District Conditional Zoning or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 0.93+/- acres, located at 3856 Cumberland Rd., submitted by Lydia Coachman and Wayne Chestnutt (Applicant); Affordable Seamless Gutters & Home Improvement Fayetteville, LLC (Owners). Staff determined the request to be consistent with the Southwest Cumberland Land Use Plan, which calls for “Heavy Commercial” at the location. The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
B. CASE #ZON-25-0010: Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 16.6 +/- acres, located east of Rock Hill Road and north of Rocky River Road; submitted by Timothy Evans (Agent); Gallberry Run Land & Development, LLC and Nicholas Harrell (Owners). Staff found the request to be consistent with the Eastover Area Land Use Plan, which calls for “Rural Density Residential” at this location. The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
C. CASE #ZON-25-0013: Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R30 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 3.45 +/- acres, located north of Huckleberry Road and east of White Plains Drive, submitted by Timothy Evans (Agent); Gallberry Run Land &Development, LLC and Nicholas Harrell (Owners). Staff found the request to be consistent with the Eastover Area Land Use Plan, which calls for “Rural Density Residential” at this location. The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
D. CASE #ZON-25-0016: Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District and R10 Residential District to C(P) Planned Commercial District or to a more restrictive zoning district for three parcels comprising 4.3 +/- acres, located at 2428,2450 and 2468 Lillington Highway, submitted by Gregory Spears and Gabriel Sital (Owners). The Spring Lake Area Land Use Plan policies support commercial zoning for smaller parcels along NC 210 and along fringe residential areas. The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
4. The Board discussed the following ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
A. Consideration of Funding Contract with NC History Center Foundation: This item was removed by unanimous vote.
B. Approval of Contract for Employee Childcare Center Operator - This item was moved from the Consent Agenda to an Item of Business by unanimous vote: Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips presented a one-year contract with Chapman’s Management Company to operate the Cumberland County Employee Childcare Center. The contract follows the termination of the current provider’s services, which will end July 5, 2025. The new contract allows Chapman’s to begin operations as soon as June 17, 2025, ensuring a smooth transition. Chapman’s will be required to obtain national childcare certifications during the contract period. The Board held an additional discussion on this matter in closed session under attorney-client privilege pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
C. Consideration of a Contract for Crown Coliseum Renovation and associated Budget Revision #BR250343 - This item was added by unanimous vote: The Board approved a contract and budget revision for renovations to the hospitality room and lobby at the Crown Coliseum. Originally scheduled to begin June 9, 2025, the project was delayed due to contract finalization. The original bid, received in June2024, was for $1.8 million. The revised total, including a change order, is $1.988 million. The cost difference will be reimbursed by OVG, the facility’s management company. The contract was reviewed and deemed legally sufficient by the County Attorney’s Office.
D. Consideration of Ordinances Regulating Explosives on Firing Ranges and Amending Firearms Regulations - This item was added by unanimous vote: In a 5-2 vote, the Board adopted an ordinance amendment to prohibit the use of exploding targets on private firing ranges in Cumberland County. The measure, introduced at the request of Chairman Kirk deViere, aims to enhance safety in residential areas. The ordinance sets a minimum distance of 225 yards for discharging firearms using explosive targets. Penalties were reduced to $250 for first offenses and $100 for subsequent violations based on Policy Committee recommendations. The Sheriff’s Office reviewed the final version and did not recommend additional changes.
6. There were no NOMINATIONS for this meeting.
7. The Board discussed the following APPOINTMENT for this meeting.
A. Equalization and Review Board (1 Vacancy): Tracey Henderson was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Equalization and Review but due to her recent appointment by Governor Josh Stein as Cumberland County District Court Judge, she has resigned from this position. The Cumberland County Board of Equalization and Review recommends Marva Lucas-Moore for appointment to this position. The Board unanimously approved and exception to the policy and approved the appointment.
The Board recessed the regular Board of Commissioners meeting and convened as the Norcress Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Service Agreement for Asset Management and Financial Plan for NORCRESS At the Oct. 21, 2024 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board accepted the selection of Freese and Nickels, Inc., as the best qualified firm to assist the Northern Cumberland Regional Sewer System, better known as NORCRESS, with engineering services for asset management and financial planning, and granted permission for staff to enter negotiations for detailed scope of work, cost of services and to prepare an agreement for approval at a future Board of Commissioners meeting. (Service agreement attached in agenda). The agreement amount shall not exceed $400,000 and the term of the agreement shall be rom the execution date of the agreement and shall remain in effect until Jan. 31, 2026. This project is funded through a state ARPA Grant and funding for this project is available within NOCRESS Capital Outlay BR#250302. The Board voted unanimously to approve the service agreement with Freese and Nickels, Inc., in the amount of $400,000 and to authorize the Chairman to execute the contract, which has been audited and determined to be legally sufficient.
The Board adjourned the Norcress Water and Sewer District Governing Board meeting and reconvened the Board of Commissioners meeting.
8. The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss a Personnel Matter Pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(6) and Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(3).
Following closed session, the Board voted 6-1 to authorize the County Manager to approve the contract with Chapman’s Management company, effective July 1, 2025, to operate the Cumberland County Employee Childcare Center.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:47 p.m.
There are no scheduled Board of Commissioners meetings in July. The next regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting will be Monday, Aug. 11, at 9 a.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions are livestreamed on 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.