3-18-19 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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C. Consideration of instructing outside legal staff to file a complaint on behalf of Lee County in regards to the opioid litigation. At the April 16, 2018 regular Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board voted to authorize staff to issue a request for information for law firms who are interested in representing Lee County in any potential opioid litigation. On May 21, 2018, the Board received information submitted by two national law firms— Mike Fuller on behalf of McHugh Fuller Law and Julie Bond on behalf of Simmons Hanly Conroy. At the May 21, 2018 meeting, the Board decided to allow the two firms to give presentations of their case and legal strategy. Staff has had multiple discussions with each group and has asked many questions in reference to this multi-district litigation. At the July 23, 2018 regular meeting of the Board, the Board heard presentations from both law firms regarding the theories of their cases and an update on where all of the cases are currently being litigated under the Multi-District Litigation. In September 2018, the Board voted to hire McHugh Fuller Law Firm to represent the county in the litigation. In December 2018, the Board adopted a resolution declaring the opioid epidemic a public nuisance. Commissioner Del Palazzo noted that Lee, Harnett, and Montgomery County have been awarded a grant through the 2018 Rural Health Opioid Program, which is a 3-year grant in the amount of approximately $590,000. First Health serves as the lead agency and fiscal agent of the grant. The grant's purpose is to combat the opioid crisis by decreasing opioid related deaths resulting from overdoses. The program is currently recruiting peer to peer advocates who have formerly experienced addiction to opioids and have been through recovery to serve the program. Following further discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to instruct outside legal staff to file the complaint as presented on behalf of Lee County in regards to the opioid litigation. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Dodson, Knecht, Reives, Sharpe Nay: Del Palazzo, Smith Chair Dalrymple ruled the motion had carried 5:2. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of two offers to purchase property located at 0 W. Forest Oaks Drive SR 1469, PIN 9667-87-8477-00, Lee County North Carolina from Wayne Langston and Michael Jones. Lee County foreclosed on property located at PIN 9667-87-8477-00 in 1989. There is currently $3,156.93 owed on the property, which includes taxes and attorney fees owed. The current tax value of the property is $15,400. Wayne Langston, on behalf of Coast2Coast Group submitted an offer of$500.00 on July 31, 2018 and submitted his advertising costs on October 29, 2018. He has paid the requisite 5% deposit and advertising costs. Michael Jones submitted an offer of$4,000.00 on February 28, 2019 and has paid the requisite 5% deposit and advertising costs. The property was determined to be landlocked and both potential buyers have been informed of the issue. Commissioner Smith moved to declare the property as surplus, accept the offer from Michael Jones for$4,000 and authorize staff to proceed with the sealed bid process, a copy of the resolution is hereby attached to these minutes and by this reference made apart hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Del Palazzo, Dodson, Knecht, Reives, Sharpe, Smith Nay: None Commissioner Dalrymple ruled the motion had carried unanimously. Page 417