I.    CLOSED SESSION

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved for closed session for the following purposes; Mrs. Robinson provided the second; council granted unanimous approval:

PURSUANT TO G.S. 143-318.11(A) (3) AND (6), CLOSED SESSION WAS CONDUCTED TO:

1.         CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY THE PUBLIC BODY IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY AND THE PUBLIC BODY.

2.         CONSIDER THE QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCE, PERFORMANCE, CHARACTER, FITNESS, CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT, OR CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EMPLOYMENT OF ONE ORE MORE INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES.

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Following closed session, Mr. Coleman spoked about the sewer spill at the Swift Creek pump station. He tasked Black & Veatch, consulting engineer, to prepare a report that contained a complete analysis of the events surrounding the incident and to conduct an analysis to tie all the circumstances together to determine contributing factors and how it could have been prevented. He stated they’ve completed this report, and staff evaluated it and thinks it’s a good start on the analysis; however, staff believes there are circumstances that need to be analyzed in more detail and also think that circumstances and events need to be better tied together to understand how and why the spill occurred. He believes it’s in the best interest of the Town and the region to have a third party provide a thorough analysis of the events and circumstances surrounding the occurrence. He asked the council for the authority to seek a third party professional forensic engineering firm to do an analysis. He added that he plans to have this third party on board by early next week and expects a completed study in about 45 days.

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved for the above (to authorize the third party analysis). Mrs. Robinson provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval.

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