081214mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
August 12, 2014
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, August 12,
2014, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Joe Miller, Chaiiiiian
Gary House, Vice Chaiiinan
Jim Burgin, Commissioner
Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Tommy Burns, Harnett County Manager
Joseph Jeffries, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Jennifer Slusser, Senior Staff Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chaiiman House led the pledge of
allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before commissioners:
1. Discharge Ordinance Update
2. Harnett County Space Discussion
3. County Manager's Report:
- Regular Meeting Agenda Review
4. Closed Session
Randy Baker, Harnett County Senior Zoning Inspector, presented the amended draft version of
the proposed Firearms & Explosive Discharge Ordinance. Mr. Baker reported that the Harnett
County Planning Board reviewed the proposed ordinance and moved by a 4 — 1 vote to approve
and forward the Firearms & Explosive Discharge Ordinance to the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners along with concerns discussed during their meeting.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Baker reviewed, discussed and addressed the following concerns that were voiced during the
Planning Board meeting:
1. Cross -bows and compound bows should be included in the restrictions listed in
Section 11.
2. Ordinance is too strict in relation to the setback distances.
3. Section 13 (I.) should not require a notarized letter of permission in the absence of a
property owner. (Upon discussion with the Sheriff, this requirement has been
removed from the proposed Ordinance.)
4. Penalties for violating the Ordinance seemed very harsh and did not allow for
discretion in the area of the amount of the fine. (After discussions with the Sheriff
and Staff Attorney, the language was amended in order to allow the judicial official
the ability to access an appropriate fine amount based on each violation.)
5. Can the investigating officer confiscate or seize firearms from violators of this
Ordinance? (Firearms may not be confiscated or seized simply by an infraction of this
Ordinance. This has been verified by both the Sheriff and Staff Attorney.)
Sheriff Larry Rollins, Mrs. Slusser and Planning Director Mark Locklear offered comments
regarding the proposed ordinance as discussions continued. Mr. Baker noted that a Planning
Board member had said that the ordinance is a starting point and once it is being enforced they
can see how it works and offer proposed amendments if needed.
Sheriff Rollins responded that an issue with CCCC and a security contract had been worked out.
He also noted CCCC has approached the Sheriffs Office about possibly providing all of their
security.
Mr. Burns informed the Board that staff had recently met with Forestry Services regarding
available county office space. He said Forestry was very enthusiastic about the possibility of that
space being available to them. Mr. Burns said staff wanted to make sure the Board was
comfortable with them moving forward to the next step which would be working out an
agreement with Forestry. Mr. Burns said that is money we provide to them that could be return
to us if we charge for utilities. Mr. Burns also noted that Harnett County Parks and Recreation
would occupy part of the recently vacated county space.
Commissioner Springle noted that Harnett County Facilities and Maintenance staff were
unaware that the Department of Social Services and Health Department buildings were built so
that you could add a story to them so they had not considered that as an option in their planning.
Mr. Burns reviewed the draft August 18, 2014 regular meeting agenda. Mr. Snow, who
distributed copies of a proposed warranty deed and map, reported that Harnett Forward Together
Committee (HFTC) had finally sold the Erwin Mill property and had reserved 10.81 acres of that
property to transfer to the County. Mr. Snow said the proposal was for the 10.81 acre tract to be
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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recombined with the 16.27 acre tract that is now the Cape Fear River Park. Mr. Snow noted the
restriction within the proposed warranty deed that this conveyance would be used for public park
and recreational use only. Mr. Snow said this will extend the Dunn -Erwin Rail Trail from
downtown Erwin all the way to the Cape Fear River Park. Mr. Snow noted the Rail Trail is
currently maintained by the Town of Erwin and the City of Dunn along with contributions from
the County. Mr. Snow said Carl Davis with Harnett County Parks and Recreation is tickled with
this and thinks it will be a great addition to Cape Fear River Park. It was the consensus of the
Board to add a resolution accepting this land conveyance from HFTC to the consent agenda for
the upcoming August 18th meeting.
Commissioner Hill moved that the Board go into closed session to:
(1) Consult with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and legal actions including the following cases:
a) County of Harnett vs. Christopher Shannon Holland, Harnett County File No. 14
CVS 922; and
b) Parker vs. Town of Erwin, et. al. Harnett County File No. 13 CVS 2242.
(2) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other
businesses in Harnett County
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3)&(4).
Commissioner Springle seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Hill moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Springle
seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Commissioner Springle reminded the group of
the ribbon cutting the following day for a solar farm in Erwin.
Commissioner Hill moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 am. Commissioner Springle
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
11181,tt
Joe ler, Chairman
ret Reginweeler, Clerk
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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