FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.
Commissioner Henry Tyson led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Kirk deViere acknowledged Sheriff Johnathan Morgan and Board of Education member Greg West, who were in attendance.
PRESENTATION
A. Animal Services Oath of Office
Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips and Animal Services Director Diane Pfeifer introduced Cumberland County Animal Services Officers, who were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Cheri Siler-Mack.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A public comment period was held.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:
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Addition of Items of Business 4D, Property Access and Option to Purchase Agreement between Om Namh Shivaay LLC and Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District
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Addition of a Closed Session, Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following consent items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of Dec. 15, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
C. Approval of Animal Services Updates and IGSA with Fort Bragg for Veterinary Training
D. Approval of a Rejection Invitation for BID #26-21-AS Animal Medications, Supplies and Tests
E. Approval of an Agricultural Business Assistance Police Update
F. Approval of a Request for Destruction of Planning & Inspections Department Records
G. Approval of a Service Agreement with Complete Partition Repair, Inc. for Operable Partitions Replacement at Crown Expo Center
H. Approval of a Certification of Completion for Tri-County Subdivision Water Project
I. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the Jan. 20 Board of Commissioners Agenda
J. Approval of Miscellaneous Crown Capital Projects Budget Ordinance #260248 and Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures This item was moved to Item of Business 4E by unanimous vote.
K. Approval of a Request to Utilize County Alliance Fund Balance
L. Approval of Soles Source Purchase of Specialized Armored Critical Incident Vehicle for Sheriff’s Office
M. Approval of Declaration of Surplus County Property and Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment B260205 and Authorization to Accept Insurance Settlement
N. Approval of Request from Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Parks and Recreation Department and Budget Ordinance Amendment B260402
O. Approval of an Amendment to the Ordinance Prohibiting Camping on County Property
P. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Amendment to Chapter 6.5 of the County Code of Ordinances - Flood Damage Prevention
Planning and Inspections Director Rawls Howard presented an ordinance amendment to move administration of the Floodplain Development Program from the County Engineering Department to the Department of Planning and Inspections. The change is intended to streamline the review process and better integrate floodplain reviews with other development applications. Floodplain development standards are outlined in Chapter 6.5 of the County Code of Ordinances. The Board unanimously approved the ordinance amendment.
B. Public Hearing and Resolution to Create the East Central Water & Sewer District
The East Central area of Cumberland County has been affected by contaminated private wells linked to PFAS from the Fayetteville Works site, creating ongoing health and safety concerns for impacted property owners. At its Dec. 15, 2025, meeting, the Board scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 20, as required by NCGS 162A-86, to receive public comment on the proposed East Central Water and Sewer District.
Following the public hearing, the Board directed the County Manager to develop a community outreach plan to allow residents to share feedback and receive additional information.
C. Public Hearing and Resolution to Create the Cedar Creek Water & Sewer District
The Cedar Creek area of Cumberland County has been affected by contaminated private wells linked to PFAS from the Fayetteville Works site, creating ongoing health and safety concerns for impacted property owners. At its Dec. 15, 2025, meeting, the Board scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 20, as required by NCGS 162A-86, to receive public comment on the proposed Cedar Creek Water and Sewer District.
Following the public hearing, the Board directed the County Manager to develop a community outreach plan to allow residents to share feedback and receive additional information.
D. CASE # ZON-25-0046
Rezoning request from R10 Residential District and RR Rural Residential District to R6A Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for one parcel totaling
5.11 +/- acres; located at the south end of Morrozoff Dr.; submitted by Jane Yang (Agent) on behalf of 5100 Morrozoff Drive Property LLC (Owners/Applicant). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
E. CASE # ZON-25-0049
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R7.5 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for two parcels comprising 34.72 +/- acres; located at 1539 & 1543 Tom Starling Rd.; submitted by Max and Janet Carter (Applicant/Owner). The Board unanimously denied the rezoning request.
F. CASE # ZON-25-0050
Rezoning request from C(P) Planned Commercial District to A1 Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 25.78 +/- acres; located 200 feet East of the intersection of Kingfisher Dr. and Loon Dr.; submitted by Lori Epler (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Riddle Companies Inc. (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
G. CASE # ZON-25-0051
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to C(P) Planned Commercial District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising .91 +/- acres; located northeast of the intersection of NC Hwy 87 and Upton Tyson Road; submitted by Alhubishi Abdurrahman (Agent/Applicant) on the behalf Sherwood Presbyterian Church (Owner). The Board voted 5-1 to deny the rezoning request.
H. CASE # ZON-25-0053
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 14.74 +/- acres; located south of the intersection of Sanderosa Rd and Shadowmoss Dr.; submitted by Tim Evans (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Mary W. Parker and Anna W. Taylor (Owners). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
I. CASE # ZON-25-0054
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 2.01 +/- acres; located at 4740 Mastercraft Ct; submitted by Bryan Lopez and Margarita Lopez Archbold (Applicant/Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
J. CASE # ZON-25-0055
Rezoning request from R30 Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 0.88 +/- acres; located at the southwest intersection of Wade Stedman Rd and Maxwell Rd; submitted by George D. Regan, Jr., Esq. (Agent/Applicant) on the behalf of Vu Hung Le (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
K. CASE # ZON-25-0057
Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 1.37 +/- acres; located at 3883 Clinton Rd; submitted by Bevil Groves (Applicant/Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
L. CASE # ZON-25-0058
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 2.23 +/- acres; located 7552 Turnbull Road; submitted by Laverne Robinson (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Key Legacy Group LLC (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Consideration of RFP - Real Estate Brokerage Services
Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens presented. Cumberland County issued a request for proposals for real estate brokerage services on Nov. 19, 2025, with proposals due Dec. 19. The county received four proposals, which were evaluated and scored. Staff recommended selecting Grant Murray as the real estate brokerage firm based on its understanding of the county’s site selection needs for the Unhoused Support Center, local presence and immediate availability upon contract execution.
The Board voted 5-1 to enter into a contract with Grant Murray for real estate brokerage services related to the Unhoused Support Center project.
B. Consideration of Architect for the Crown Theatre and Arena Modernization and/or Renovation
County Manager Clarence Grier presented. On Oct. 13, 2025, Cumberland County issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for professional design and construction oversight services for the Crown Theatre and Arena modernization and renovation project. One addendum was issued, and the RFQ closed Nov. 14, with 13 responses received.
Interviews were conducted Jan. 6, and firms were evaluated based on project understanding, approach, qualifications, experience, presentation, interviews, and the quality and clarity of proposals. Following evaluation by the county’s five-member selection committee, SfL+a was selected as the preferred firm.
The Board voted 4-2 to accept SfL+a as the preferred architect and authorized the County Manager to enter into contract negotiations for a refined scope of work and final price.
C. Consideration of Owner’s Representative for the Crown Theatre and Arena Modernization/Renovation
County Manager Clarence Grier presented. On Oct. 13, 2025, Cumberland County issued a request for proposals (RFP) for owner’s representative services to provide project oversight for the Crown Theatre and Arena modernization and renovation project. One addendum was issued, and the RFP closed Nov. 14, with 18 responses received.
Interviews were conducted Jan. 14, and firms were evaluated based on project understanding, approach, qualifications, experience, presentation, interviews, and the quality and clarity of proposals. Following evaluation by the county’s five-member selection committee, Turner & Townsend Heery was selected as the preferred firm.
The Board voted 4-2 to accept Turner & Townsend Heery as the preferred owner’s representative and authorized the county manager to enter into contract negotiations for a refined scope of work and final price.
D. Property Access and Option to Purchase Agreement between Om Namh Shivaay LLC and Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District This item was added by unanimous vote.
County Attorney Rick Moorefield presented a proposed agreement with Om Namh Shivaay LLC, the owner of property located at 3157 Chicken Foot Road that serves as a potential well water source for Phase 1 of the Gray’s Creek water and sewer project. The Board unanimously approved the property access and option to purchase agreement and directed the County Manager to execute the agreement.
E. Approval of Miscellaneous Crown Capital Projects Budget Ordinance #260248 and Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures This item was moved from Consent Agenda item 2J to Item of Business 4D by unanimous vote.
County Manager Clarence Grier presented a proposed capital projects budget ordinance to fund miscellaneous improvements to extend the useful life of Crown facilities. The projects are expected to cost no more than $5.5 million and will be initially funded through a transfer from the Food and Beverage Fund, with reimbursement planned through future debt financing pending approval by the Local Government Commission.
The Board voted 4-2 to approved Capital Project Budget Ordinance No. B260248 and adopted a resolution declaring the county’s intent to reimburse project costs through a future borrowing, as required by federal regulations.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations during this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
There were no nominations during this meeting.
7. RECESS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Board recessed the Board of Commissioners meeting and convened as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
8. CONVENE GRAY’S CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
A. Approval of a Certification of Completion for Tri-County Subdivision Water Project
The Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board approved a certification of completion for the Tri-County Subdivision public water project, also known as Southpoint SD. The project was constructed in accordance with approved engineering plans and state requirements for public water systems.
State regulations require submission of a certification of completion to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Public Water Supply Section to finalize approval. The certification confirms compliance with approved plans, inspections, and required operations, maintenance and emergency management provisions, as well as the use of a certified system operator.
The certification was completed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer and executed on behalf of the county by the chairman of the Board of Commissioners, as required for county-owned systems. The Board unanimously approved the certification.
B. Property Access and Option to Purchase Agreement between Om Namh Shivaay LLC and Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District This item was added by unanimous vote.
County Attorney Rick Moorefield presented a proposed agreement with Om Namh Shivaay LLC, the owner of property located at 3157 Chicken Foot Road that serves as a potential well water source for Phase 1 of the Gray’s Creek water and sewer project. The Board unanimously approved the property access and option to purchase agreement and directed the County Manager to execute the agreement.
9. ADJOURN GRAY’S CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board adjourned the Gray’s Creek Water and reconvened the Board of Commissioners meeting.
10. RECONVENE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
11. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
The meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
The next Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 2, at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
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. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.