013117wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
January 31, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, January 31, 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. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
D Harnett County CTP Amendment, NCDOT Transportation Planning and Mid -
Carolina RPO
D Revision to Neills Creek Park Agreement with Board of Education
Access at N. Harnett Primary
D Veteran Affairs new position request
D Township Boundary Issue
D Capital Outlay Funding Request from the Board of Education
D Waiver of Accumulated Holiday Leave for Sheriff's Department and Emergency
Services
D Review Rules of Procedures of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners
D Discuss recording closed sessions of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners
D County Manager's Report:
- February 6, 2017 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- February 14, 2017 Working Lunch with Campbell Cabinet
- HFTC Update
D Closed Session
January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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The following were present for the proposed amended Harnett County Comprehensive
Transportation Plan (CTP) review:
Hemal Shah, Transportation Planning Branch, NC Department of Transportation
Dock Rosenthal, Transportation Planning Branch, NC Department of Transportation
Mike Rutan, Mid -Carolina Rural Planning Organization
Paul Black, NC Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Mark Locklear, Harnett County Development Services
Jay Sikes, Harnett County Planning Services.
Mrs. Shah reviewed the proposed amendments to Harnett County's 2011 CTP. Staff noted
funding for projects is not guaranteed but projects must be in the plan to request funding. Mr.
Rutan reported they had met one on one with the towns and Campbell University to develop the
amended CTP for Harnett County. Mrs. Shah reported they held two public meetings. Mr.
Locklear confirmed a public hearing was not required for the amended CTP. Commissioners
will consider approval of the amended CTP at an upcoming meeting.
Mr. Jeffries said staff had been talking with the Board of Education about the possibility of the
County taking over their two middle school fields adjacent to Neills Creek Park. Mr. Davis
noted this was an opportunity to expand and talked about proposed future plans including
changing the entrance to Neills Creek Park. Mr. Davis said it is more feasible for the County to
take advantage of existing facilities rather than trying to build new ones. It was the consensus of
the Board for staff to move forward with discussions with the Board of Education, which could
result in amending the 30 -year Neills Creek Park Agreement.
Mr. Davis will present the Parks and Recreation Master Plan at the February 14, 2017, work
session.
Regarding access to N. Harnett Primary School, Mr. Jeffries reported that the property owners of
the gravel path adjacent to the school are willing to sign a MOU that would allow us to use the
path for emergency ingress and egress. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with
this MOU.
Mr. Jeffries also noted the cost of a new road; which would include decel lanes, a required
turning lane, sidewalks, curb and gutter, would be approximately $500,000. He said the
surrounding property owners, who have offered to donate land on the north side, are still willing
to move forward. Mr. Jeffries sought additional direction from the Board. Discussions
continued. Mr. Jeffries said this had not been discussed with the Board of Education. Vice
Chairman Springle said we are looking for access and mentioned the possibility of sharing in the
cost of sidewalks, curb and gutter. At the direction of the Board, Mr. Jeffries will approach the
developer to discuss the possibility of partnering with the development of the road.
Harnett County Veteran Services Director Eric Truesdale requested approval of a new Veterans
Services Specialist position (Pay Grade 64) to facilitate expanding outreach programs, satellite
January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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locations in the western part of the county and the Dunn/Erwin area. He said this is due to the
forecasted veteran population growth and new Department of Veterans Affair's program
requirements. He noted there are currently over 14,000 veterans in Harnett County and over
$100 Million in benefits come back to the veterans in our county. It was the consensus of the
Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting.
Regarding the waiver of accumulated holiday leave for Sheriff's Department and Emergency
Services staff, Mr. Jeffries noted the recently adopted Personnel Ordinance gives shift
work employees eleven (11) holidays upfront assuming they would be able to find some time
during the year to take those days off. He also noted the Personnel Ordinance
states "employees who fail to use their accumulated holiday time off before February 15th of
each calendar year will lose this accumulated time." Mr. Jeffries said some shift work
employees have not been able to take their holiday time off due to staffing issues and he does
not want employees to lose the holidays they have earned. It was the consensus of the Board to
allow these employees to carry their holidays over until staff could propose changes to the
current Personnel Ordinance.
GIS/E-911 Operations Administrator Clint Williams reviewed current township boundary issues
and proposed township boundary changes and data cleanup. He said there are currently three
different versions of township boundaries being used by the Board of Elections, Tax Department
and GIS. Mr. Williams said he would like to have one township boundary map providing
consistent and accurate data for everyone. He shared a new proposed map of township
boundaries using rivers, roads and parcel lines guaranteeing no split parcels. The group asked
how the new proposed boundaries would affect alcohol sales as well as other implications. Mr.
Williams said this change would only affect the Tax Department. He noted the Averasboro
school tax does not go by township. Any new township boundaries would be in effect for the
next tax reval. in four years. The Board said they would like to see additional information before
starting the public review process on new boundaries. Staff will research and discuss before
bringing additional information back to the Board.
Harnett County Finance Officer, on behalf of the Harnett County Board of Education, requested
approval of an additional capital request for $225,000; $200,000 to replace a chiller at Harnett
Primary and $25,000 to replace two water heaters in the cafeteria at Dunn Middle School. Mrs.
Honeycutt said this request could be funded as part of the sales tax expansion. Harnett County
Schools Director of Maintenance Darren McLean was available for questions. It was the
consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting.
Commissioners discussed changes to their Rules of Procedures. Commissioners, staff and legal
counsel will continue to review the procedures and discuss proposed changes at an upcoming
work session.
On February 6, 2017, commissioners will consider approval of a resolution to discontinue audio
recordings of closed session meetings.
January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Jeffiies reviewed the proposed February 6, 2017 regular meeting agenda. He reminded the
Board of their upcoming Legislative Luncheon on February 6, 2017. Mr. Jeffries reported
Springsted had submitted their grade table study and staff would be evaluating the information to
make sure it complies with what we have. He also noted staff was scheduling the first round of
interviews for the Director of Human Resources. Mr. Jeffries said the Lee County Human
Resources Director had been extremely helpful through this process and had agreed to lead the
first round of interviews.
Mr. Jeffries noted the Board would discuss Harnett Forward Together Committee (HFTC) board
membership during their February 6, 2017 meeting. Vice Chairman Miller asked commissioners
to please use a lot of thought when looking for people to serve on the HFTC board. He said we
have revamped and reorganized the group that is supposed to take this county forward and we
need some fresh faces; he said we do not need to go back to where we were.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the proposed agenda for the Board's upcoming working lunch with
Campbell University's leadership. Mr. Jeffries also announced he would be attending the
Annual Association of City and County Managers the next three days.
Chairman Springle mentioned a potential bill in the General Assembly that would give disabled
veterans 100% reduction of property taxes throughout the state; it is currently at 45% reduction.
Mrs. Stewart said the Tax Department is working on what that impact would be for Harnett
County. Chairman Springle noted he, Commissioners Penny and McKoy recently attended the
NCACC Legislative Goals Conference.
Commissioner McKoy 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 serve 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 other legal matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(4)&(3).
Vice Chairman Miller 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 11:50 am. Commissioner Penny
seconded the motion that passed unanimously
Joe Mi er, Vice airman
)44
eeler, Clerk
January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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