101017wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of -Re Work Sess; Oh
October 10, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, October 10,
2017, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, 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. Chairman Springle led the Pledge of
Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
Y Liaison Design Proposal for Harnett County Public Utilities, Steve Ward
➢ Update regarding FAA easement at the Harnett Regional Jetport, Barry Blevins
➢ Public hearings/ordinances authorizing demolition of properties, Randy Baker
➢ Discuss Golden Leaf applications
➢ Legislation Discussion:
- Occupancy Tax/Tourism Board
- "Brunch" Bill — early Sunday alcohol sales
➢ County Manager's Report:
- October 16, 2017 Agenda Review
- Board of Education Request
➢ Closed session
D Adjourn
Commissioner Penny moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss certain personnel
matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6). Vice
Chairman Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Chairman Springle announced that Joseph Jeffries had resigned as county manager effective
today. He said Mr. Jeffries is going to work for the Town of Lillington. Commissioner Elmore
moved to accept Joseph Jeffiies' resignation as county manager effective today and to pay his
health insurance until he is on the health insurance plan for the Town of Lillington. Vice
Chairman Miller seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to appoint Paula Stewart as Interim County Manager with a 5%
increase effective today. Commissioner McKoy seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Mr. Jeffries left the meeting.
Steve Ward, Director of Harnett County Public Utilities, noted the efficiency study done years
ago centered on customer service. He said in reviewing those objectives they believe having
their own website, which would link back to the County's website, would provide better
opportunities for customers. Mr. Ward said they also think rebranding is an important aspect for
their department.
Jeff Denny with Liaison Design Group and Lee Anne Nance with Britt Nance Collaborative
presented a Branding and Website Design Proposal for Harnett County Public Utilities.
Proposal fees for brand development is $10,000 and website design and development is
$22,000. Mr. Ward said the Board didn't need to take any action today; he has money budgeted
to do this type work and he will come back before the Board before any decisions are made
regarding rebranding.
Harnett County Airport Administrator Barry Blevins and Staff Attorney Chris Appel discussed
FAA easements at the Harnett Regional Jetport. Mr. Blevins reminded the group that Piedmont
Natural Gas approached the County months earlier to discuss rerouting their 6" high
pressure gas line. He said abandoning the current line from underneath the runway would
allow development options. Mr. Blevins reviewed the process. Mr. Appel negotiated a separate
contract requiring mandatory shading and maintenance of the new access sight near the Harnett
Regional Jetport sign. Mr. Blevins explain if the easements were approved on October 16`h they
would not be recorded until the final public comment period ends and are approved by
FAA/NCDOT/DOA. Total compensation for moving gas line, abandoning current and installing
new lines & creating easement would be $38,200. The Board will consider approving the
easements during their upcoming regular meeting.
Harnett County Problem Properties Administrator Randy Baker discussed upcoming public
hearings to be conducted pertaining to proposed resolutions to demolish structures located at the
following locations:
- 365 Betts Road, PIN# 0646-40-0252.000 — Buckhorn Township
- 3254 Old Stage Road South, P1N# 0588-71-3505.000 — Grove Township
Mr. Baker reminded the Board that the passing of NC House Bill 530, Session Law 2017-109,
allowed the county board the same authority as a municipal board when it comes to
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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condemnation and demolition of structures. He briefly reviewed the process adhering to all
guidelines required for condemnation and demolition of structures on both properties.
Mr. Baker noted the low bid for the demolition and removal of debris and materials of the single-
family residence at 365 Betts Road in Holly Springs was $6,295. Mr. Baker also noted the low
bid for the demolition, including asbestos abatement and removal of debris and materials of the
single-family residence at 3254 Old Stage Road South was $7,050. He said these costs do not
include tipping fees at the landfill.
Mr. Baker said once they have a total of abatement costs, the property owners will be given a
notification of that amount and will have at that time the ability to satisfy the debt to keep the
property free and clear. The cost incurred by the County shall be a lien against the owners and
the real property. If the debt is not paid, the Board will then be able to move forward with
foreclosure proceedings. Discussions continued. The Board also has discretion to give
extensions. Mr. Baker said he is in contact with the property owners and assured the Board he
would provide them the status of each property prior to the public hearing on October 16, 2017.
Director of Community Relations Brian Haney and Marketing & Business Recruitment Manager
Debbie Taylor discussed the Golden Leaf Community Based Grant applications received.
Mr. Haney said members of the Harnett County Economic Development Council were asked to
grade the eight submissions based on a rubric comprised of information provided by Golden
LEAF about what makes for a competitive project. Mr. Haney briefly reviewed the process,
applications and scoring.
Mr. Haney discussed the viability of the projects, following the scoring, with Dan Gerlich who
recommended Harnett County Schools remove the Public Safety Academy piece from their
application. Staff sought direction from the Board; the County Manager can submit up to three
applications for the total grant request of $1.5 million before the October 20, 2017 deadline. The
group discussed submitting the top two scoring applications and applying the remaining monies
towards a third application. Chairman Springle said he would hope to move the Good Hope
application above Campbell University's application. Commissioner McKoy pointed out that
Campbell's project is about community health care; closing the gap of disparity in the county.
Commissioners said they believe Campbell has other funding options and asked staff to confirm
that Good Hope's project would still be viable with less money. Mr. Haney said Golden LEAF
wants to do the most good for the most people through these grants. He said there are other
funding opportunities available for all of the projects submitted. Discussions continued.
Commissioner Penny said he was very cautious during this process as he and Commissioner
McKoy are both voting members of the Harnett County Economic Development Council as well
as having participated in closed session discussions. It was the consensus of the Board that the
County Manager submit three Letters of Inquiry (LOI) to the Golden LEAF Foundation for the
Community Based Grantsmaking Initiative for the following projects:
• Harnett County Economic Development's extension of infrastructure at Brightwater
Science & Technology Park — $500,000
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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• Harnett County Schools' expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing and Health Sciences
academies — $400,000
• Good Hope Mental Health's expansion of its inpatient beds in Erwin — for the remaining
amount assuming their project is still viable with less money.
The Golden LEAF Board of Directors will review the LOI at their December 2017 meeting when
they will vote on whether or not to invite a full application from the applicant organization.
Regarding Senate Bill 552 which established Harnett County District H as a taxing district,
including all of Harnett County outside of Averasboro Township that already has its own, Mr.
Haney noted the legislation allows the Board to levy a room occupancy tax of up to six percent
(6%) for the rental space of any room, lodging, or accommodation furnished by a hotel, motel,
inn, tourist camp, or similar place subject to sales tax. It requires at least two-thirds of the
proceeds must be used to promote travel and tourism and the remainder shall be used for
tourism -related expenditures within the district. Mr. Haney outlined the process. He said if the
Board is interested in moving forward with this, they must adopt a resolution enacting 6% sales
tax. The Board must also adopt a resolution creating the Harnett County District H Tourism
Development Authority to manage those funds. The resolution shall provide for the membership
of the Authority, including the members' terms of office, and for the filling of vacancies on the
Authority. The Finance Officer for Harnett County shall be the ex officio finance officer of the
Authority. Mr. Haney talked about reappointment procedures and membership requirements. It
was the consensus of the Board to move forward with the 6% tax and establishing the authority
however, they will hold off on membership at this time.
Mr. Haney said the County had received a request from a business in western Harnett interested
in allowing alcohol sales two hours earlier on Sundays, which is now an option with the passing
of Senate Bill 155 "Brunch Bill".
.$153A-145.7 Hours of certain alcohol sales.
In accordance with G.S. 18B -1004(999c, a county may adopt an ordinance allowing for
the sale of malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and mixed beverages
beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday pursuant to the licensed premises' permit issued under
G.S. 18B-1001.
Mr. Haney distributed Legal Sales Information for Harnett County provided by the North
Carolina Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. He clarified this would only apply to the
Countys' unincorporated areas. He said basically anyone who currently sales alcohol will be
allowed to do so two hours earlier on Sunday. It was the consensus of the Board to wait on this
until they hear from other interested businesses.
The Board reviewed a draft letter to the editor letting the public know their Board of
Commissioner's perspective, their role and the issues they face in trying to address the need for
new schools in Harnett County. Commissioners feel that it is important to respond in light of
recent statements made in the press. Commissioner McKoy asked that the letter also address
population growth in this county. Discussions continued.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed October 16, 2017 regular meeting agenda.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mrs. Stewart said Superintendent Fleming had asked if the School Board should take retirement
and social security from the $1,500 teacher supplement or would the County be providing them
additional funds to cover those costs. Commissioners responded again that they would not be
providing additional funds to cover those costs. Mrs. Stewart said Superintendent Fleming also
asked, regarding teacher supplements, if a teacher is hired after the September 1 cutoff will they
get the teacher supplement. Commissioners discussed the issue. Commissioner McKoy said we
cannot continue to change the rules once they are set. Commissioners said they must be held
accountable to the numbers they know; their whole point was to look at teacher retention.
Commissioners said September 1 remains the cutoff.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session 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 claim investigation of the U.S. Department of Justice vs the
Harnett County Sheriff's Office. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section
143-318.11(a)(3). Commissioner Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Miller moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Penny
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:11 am. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion, which passed unanim
heeler, Clerk
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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