011017wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
January 10, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, January 10, 2017,
in the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Howard Penny, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
D Discussion of Bunnlevel Culvert Replacement, NCDOT County Maintenance
Engineer Keith Anderson
D Development Services: - Proposed Sign Text Amendment
- Proposed Zoning Change
D Emergency Services: Angier & Black River Fire Department requests
permission to purchase new vehicle extrication
equipment
Spout Springs Emergency Services requests permission
to purchase a new vehicle
D Discuss Boards and Committees on which Commissioners Serve
• Discuss Federal Legislative goals
D Discuss donation by Wellons Realty and Gleneagles, Harnett County Parks and
Recreation Director Carl Davis
D County Manager's Report:
- January 17, 2017 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
Propose date & time to present Report to the People
o February 20, 5:30 pm dinner
o March 6, 7:30 am breakfast
o March 14, 7:30 am breakfast
D Adjourn
January 10, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 5
NC DOT County Maintenance Engineer Keith Anderson was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioners requested that a NC DOT representative attend their upcoming regular meeting
to provide an update on county roads.
Jay Sikes, Manager of Planning Services, briefly reviewed the following proposed text
amendment and zoning change:
Proposed Text Amendment: wall signs; Harnett County Unified Development
Ordinance, Article VII (Development Design Guidelines). Section 10.9 (Signs that
Require a Permit); Ability to add a 2nd wall sign to a multi -tenant unit (strip mall type
complexes); this would be a side wall sign, or real sign.
Proposed Zoning Change: Case #RZ-16-481; Applicant: William "Bud" M.
Bethune/Jonathan Bethune, .68 +/- acres (out of 1.16 -acre parcel); Pin #0566-46-9354;
From RA -20M to Commercial; Hwy 401 South; Stewart's Creek Township.
Mr. Sikes stated there was no controversy with either proposed change and noted the Planning
Board and staff unanimously recommended approval of both. Regarding the wall signs, Mr.
Sikes noted several others already existed in the county and said this text amendment would
make everyone compliant. Mr. Sikes responded to questions regarding wall signs and potential
businesses in the county. He also responded to questions regarding subdivision activities in the
county.
Commissioner Penny asked about a potential conflict of interest. He asked if something comes
before the Board should he recuse himself if he is related to the applicant. Mr. Snow said the
conflict comes when there is a financial interest but he does not need to recuse himself just
because he is related to an applicant. However, Commissioner Penny was advised to make the
Board aware of those types of situations.
Emergency Services Director Jimmy Riddle provided an update regarding activities during the
recent storm. Mr. Riddle noted the following requests were for reallocation of funds, no new
monies are requested.
Chief Zach Lindsey, Angier & Black River Fire Department, addressed the group regarding his
request for approval to reallocate $40,000 in capital outlay in their current budget for hydrant
installation to purchase new vehicle extrication equipment to replace outdated equipment. Chief
Lindsey noted after looking at their hydrant locations, the hydrant map as well as the size of lines
on roads without hydrants he believes they are close, if not over, their 85%. It was the consensus
of the board to consider approval of this request during their upcoming regular meeting.
Chief Alan Jarvis, Spout Springs Emergency Services, addressed the group regarding his request
for approval to use $27,000 out of their savings in this budget year to purchase a new 2017 Ford
F-250 4x4 in full for $42,500 to replace a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. Chief Jarvis noted $15,500
was previously approved in their 2016-2017 Capital Outlay for three years. It was the consensus
of the board to consider approval of this request during their upcoming regular meeting.
January 10, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 5
Commissioners discussed the boards and committees on which they serve annually. Several
boards and committees were reassigned among the group.
Brian Haney, Director of Community and Government Relations, noted NCACC was soliciting
for federal legislative priorities at this time. He distributed and reviewed the following proposed
2017-2018 Federal Legislative Priorities for Harnett County:
Support Harnett County's Efforts to Expand Broadband Access in Underserved Areas
Many portions of Harnett County do not currently have access to broadband. This is
another significant barrier to economic growth in the county. Harnett County asks for
support in developing infrastructure and providing broadband to underserved areas within
the county.
Support Efforts to Expand Natural Gas Capacity
Access to natural gas is a basic requirement for many industries and businesses looking
for sites to locate new facilities. Despite a massive population influx in western Harnett
County, a lack of access to natural gas has prevented the commercial and industrial
growth that would normally accompany these increases in population. Harnett County
seeks assistance in identifying and implementing methods for expanding natural gas
capacity throughout the county.
Support Construction of Four Lane Highway into Wake County
The lack of a four -lane highway connecting Harnett and Wake counties is a major barrier
to economic development in Harnett County. A four -lane highway into Wake County
would have a significant positive economic impact on Harnett County in terms of
commercial and residential development.
Support Efforts to Establish a Multi -County Agricultural Business District
Harnett County seeks to partner with neighboring counties to establish a multi -
jurisdictional regional Agricultural Business District that allows for favorable taxation
and incentives to attract agricultural businesses to the region. Like several of its
neighboring counties, Harnett counts agriculture as its largest industry and seeks to
collaborate with neighboring counties to enhance its agricultural economy. Harnett
County seeks and federal assistance that may be provided, including incentives, to
enhance these efforts.
Preserve Federal Block Grants for County Administered Social Services Programs
The Harnett County Department of Social Services asks that legislators preserve Federal
Block Grants for county administered programs (TANF, SSBG, CSBG, HCCBG) and
oppose unfunded mandates to counties.
Increase Federal Funding Formula for Counties with Military Students
Harnett County has a large population of students from military families, however the
County receives less federal funding per child than surrounding counties due to current
formulas calculating federal funding based on the county's military student population.
Harnett County asks that this funding formula be examined to provide additional funding
to support the added strain on the County's school system.
January 10, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 5
Mr. Haney noted he had also requested federal legislative priorities from department heads.
The group discussed the proposed priorities. It was the consensus of the board to submit the
above as the 2017-2018 Federal Legislative Priorities for Harnett County.
Carl Davis, Director of Parks and Recreation, discussed the proposed real property gift from the
Gleneagles Owners' Association, Inc. (Association) and Wellons Realty, Inc. (Wellons) to
Harnett County to be used for recreation/park purposes. The Association and Wellons are the
titled owners of the real property tract located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Ashe
Avenue and North Powell in the Dunn area. A portion of this 1.94 -acre tract is currently being
used as a parking area for citizens who use the Rail Trail for recreation purposes. This tract is in
the vicinity of the recent Lester Phillips family land donation to Harnett County. The grantors
proposed if this conveyance closed after January 1, 2017 that Harnett County would be
responsible for any ad valorem taxes for 2017 on the subject tract.
Mr. Davis said he does not plan to do much with this property at this time. Mr. Snow
disclosed that he represents the Association and responded that he feels like they want to
donate the land due to potential liability. Mr. Snow shared a map of the property. It was the
consensus of the board to move forward with accepting this real property gift.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the January 17, 2017 regular meeting agenda. Commissioners agreed to
attend the Report to the People by Cooperative Extension on February 20, 2017 at 5:30 pm.
Mr. Jeffries shared a report from the Tax Department regarding the 2017 ReVal showing the
most recent projected revenue loss of $25,440.21 with $3,392,028 actual value difference. He
noted notices would be mailed in mid-February.
Mr. Jeffries discussed tentative agenda items for the upcoming planning retreat. Commissioners
asked that the Board of Education be invited to the upcoming retreat again.
Commissioner McKoy requested an update regarding the library and shell building in the
western part of the county. Mr. Jeffries responded that no decisions have been made at this time
regarding the library and he would request an update from CCCC regarding the shell building.
Mr. Jeffries noted they have started the HR Director recruitment process. He said they have an
interim director in place now but would hopefully start the interview process by the end of
January.
Mr. Jeffries reminded the board of the upcoming Local Government Association meeting at the
Brass Lantern on January 30, 2017 where he said the Tax Department will provide an update on
the reVal. and Economic Development staff will present. He also reminded the group of the
upcoming February 6, 2017, legislative luncheon.
January 10, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 4 of 5
Commissioner Miller moved that the board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses
in the area served by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners; and
2) To consult with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the following case:
"Estate of John David Livingston, II, et als vs Kehagias, et als, US District Court,
Eastern District, Western Division, File No. 5:16 CV -00906 -BO.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(4)&(3).
Commissioner Elmore seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 am. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
�et Regina Vh eeler, Clerk
January 10, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 5 of 5