050109sHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
May 1, 2009
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Friday, May 1, 2009, in
the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Timothy B. McNeill, Chairman
Beatrice B. Hill, Vice - Chairman
Dan B. Andrews
Gary House
Jim Burgin
Scott Sauer, County Manager
Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager
Dwight W. Snow, County Attorney
Jennifer Slusser, Staff Attorney
Sylvia Blinson, Finance Officer
Gina Daniel, Assistant to the County Manager
Joseph Jeffries, Director of Planning
John Rouse, Director of Health
Trinity Faucett, Director of Human Resources
Chairman Timothy B. McNeill called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Vice - Chairman Hill
gave the invocation.
Mr. Jeffries updated the commissioners on the Abandoned Manufactured -Home Planning
Initiative (AMPI). He requested permission to use the formula currently used by the Division of
Social Services for low income families. Mr. Jeffries said cost could possibly be recovered
through a voluntary lean by the property owner. The Commissioners asked Mr. Jeffries to draft a
written policy to bring back to the Board.
Mrs. Slusser updated the commissioners on the Melvin Stewart property issue. Mr. Darryl
Harrington, Harnett County's District Conservationist — USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), shared a map with the commissioners that showed land elevations of the
property and said he believes Harnett County Public Utilities had no adverse effect on Mr.
Stewart's property. Mr. Harrington believes that no additional water is running on the property
now however the water does seem to be moving faster. He believes there would be benefit in the
Department of Transportation cleaning out a ditch near Mr. Stewart's property. Commissioner
Burgin asked that staff have "good faith" discussions with Mr. Stewart and share the land
elevation information with him. Chairman McNeill asked that we contain any of our water and
then turn the issue over to the carrier.
Mrs. Slusser updated the commissioner on the flooding of homes at Country Walk Estates.
Mrs. Slusser shared concern regarding Ms. Elizabeth Crudup with the Harnett Historical
Association being confused as a representative of the County or with the Harnett County
Historical Properties Commission. Chairman McNeill requested staff to invite Mrs. Crudup to
the May 15th work session for discussion and clarification.
Mrs. Slusser updated the Board regarding the Workforce Development Board. Recently, Denise
Day, Mid - Carolina Council of Government (COG), held an electronic meeting against legal
meeting procedures, to discuss the four counties possibly pulling out of the COG. Mrs. Slusser
was preparing a letter to Denise Day and Jim Caldwell, copying Tony Lett, informing them that a
meeting must be held.
Mr. Sauer said we were hoping for Central Carolina Community College to administer our
workforce development program by July 1, 2009. There is a meeting scheduled with Roger
Shackleford for 10:00 am on May 18, 2009 as he has agreed to work out the transition. Mr.
Sauer said money for these services comes through COG for Harnett County but staff was in the
process of looking at the contract and pulling out of the COG at end of the fiscal year.
Mr. Rouse reported there have been two cases of Swine Flu, H1M1, in North Carolina; one in
Wake County and one in Onslow County.
Mr. Rouse shared concerns with the commissioners regarding the Public Health Improvement
Plan that appeared, without discussion, in the Senate budget recently. He asked that the Board of
Commissioners please send a letter to state representatives voicing opposition to the plan.
Mrs. Slusser reminded the board of Clyde Patterson's interest to purchase land from the county
on Ponderosa Road. Mr. Patterson is discussing the purchase with surrounding land owners and
will come back to the county when he has more information.
There was general discussion regarding the use of the gym at Shawtown. At this time it is
unclear who controls the facility but there are many requests from various groups and
organizations wishing to use the facility. Mr. Sauer said we need to work on an agreement
regarding the facility that may include a charge.
Mr. Sauer mentioned that it is time to look at employee benefits and suggested we may have
reached a point where we need to consider employees having to pay a little of their own
insurance cost. Mrs. Faucett distributed two draft options to the commissioners.
Mr. Sauer discussed current legislative issues involving our local hunting ordinance and House
Bill 1007 including recreation fees. Chairman McNeill said Representative Love had asked that
the Board adopt a resolution after receiving a letter and attachments from Harnett County
regarding their legislative priorities. The commissioners directed staff to invite Representative
David Lewis and Representative Jimmy Love to the Board meeting on May 4, 2009.
Vice Chairman Hill moved to go in to close session for the following purpose: To discuss
certain personnel matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143 -
318.11(a) (6). Commission Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Following closed session the board adjourned.
Timothy
ye NE
cNeill, Chairman
Marg. et Regina iel, Acting Clerk