3 Meeting Minutes 2021 05 18 DRAFT FINAL

The North Carolina Historical Commission (NCHC, Commission) met via Zoom conference call on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The following commissioners were in attendance: David Ruffin, Chair; Dr. Mary Lynn Bryan; The Honorable Newell Clark, Dr. David C. Dennard; Samuel B. Dixon; Dr. Valerie A. Johnson; Susan Phillips; and W. Noah Reynolds. Commissioner Barbara B. Snowden joined the meeting at 2:20 PM. Commissioners Dr. Malinda Maynor Lowery and Dr. Darin Waters were absent.

Others in attendance included: Phil Feagan, General Counsel, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR); Parker Backstrom, Office of Archives and History (OAH) Administrative Assistant and Recording Secretary for the NCHC; Dr. Jeffrey J. Crow, former deputy secretary of the OAH, who headed up search efforts for position of deputy secretary of the OAH; and Matt Zeher, video producer for the DNCR, who facilitated the transmission of the video conference call.

Call to Order and Conflict of Interest Statement

Chairman Ruffin welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 1:04 PM. Roll was called to ensure that enough commissioners were in attendance to qualify as a quorum. Being that all commissioners had a chance to review the meeting agenda prior to the meeting, the chair asked whether any might have a real or perceived conflict of interest concerning the business at hand. No such concerns were voiced, and the meeting proceeded.

Mr. Ruffin announced that the exclusive purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential employees of the DNCR, which is considered a confidential matter. Dr. Johnson then made the following motion: “I move that we go into closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute section 143-318-11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of prospective public officers or employees.” The motion was seconded by Ms. Phillips and a roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously.

At 1:07 PM the chair announced that the Commission would immediately be going into closed session.

Closed Session

The NCHC entered into closed session to listen to interview and discuss candidates for position of deputy secretary of the DNCR. All those listed above as present at the meeting were in attendance, excluding Mr. Zeher.

Upon conclusion of the discussions, Dr. Dennard moved that the meeting return to open session. Dr. Bryan seconded the motion and following a unanimous roll call vote, the meeting of the NCHC returned to open session at 5:25 PM.

Resumption of Open Session and Adjournment

Upon resumption of the open session, as proclaimed by the chair, Dr. Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dixon and was carried unanimously by roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM.