040919wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
April 9, 2019
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, in
Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington,
North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, 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 the Board:
✓ CAMPO Update
✓ Discuss proposed Northwest Harnett Area Land Use Plan
✓ Mid -Carolina Council of Governments Study and Recommendation
✓ Economic Development:
1) Resolution to Support Future Interstate Upgrade for Highway 421 by
NCDOT; and
2) Resolution to Support The NC Carolina Core by NC DOT
✓ Fireworks Permitting Process
✓ Preservation NC
✓ Appointments: 1) Mid -Carolina Aging Advisory Council
2) Community Child Protection Team
3) Other vacancies
✓ Budget discussion 2019/2020
✓ County Manager's Report:
April 15, 2019 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Local Government Association Meeting
Joint Meeting with Board of Education
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
✓ Closed session
✓ Adjourn
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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NC Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Executive Director Chris
Lukasina and Deputy Director Shelby Powell briefly provided an overview of the Metropolitan
Planning Organization's (MPO) functions, primary responsibilities, organizational structure and
partners. CAMPO consists of elected officials and staff representing 5 counties and 19
municipal jurisdictions including Wake and parts of Franklin, Granville, Harnett and Johnston
Counties.
Mr. Lukasina stated MPO boundaries are determined by federal regulation and are reviewed
every 10 years based on census. He added it is a big deal to change boundaries. Mr. Lukasina
noted CAMPO will evaluate changes in the urbanized area boundary and the 20 year forecast
to identify required changes to the MPO boundary and potential voluntary changes to the MPO
boundary.
Harnett County Development Services Director Mark Locklear and Manager of Planning
Services Jay Sikes were available to answer questions regarding the proposed Northwest
Harnett Area Land Use Plan. The purpose of this small area plan is to provide a
framework to guide appropriate development within a high growth area while maintaining the
rural character, environmental quality, and enhancing livability of the area. Mr. Locklear
stressed this is just a plan, it is not regulation, but the intention is for staff to start
using the recommendations in the plan to guide them in this area. Staff said text amendments
for any changes would be forthcoming.
Mr. Locklear noted staff recently met with Rebecca Davidson because of an issue she had
raised on behalf of her clients. Following that discussion, he proposed slightly modifying a
small portion on the proposed land use map to medium density residential instead of agriculture
rural residential. Staff responded to questions and comments by commissioners.
Robert Hyatt with McGill and Associates presented the Mid -Carolina Council of Governments
Study and Recommendation. McGill was engaged by the Mid -Carolina Council of Governments
(MCCOG) to evaluate the most effective arrangements for the Counties of Cumberland, Harnett
and Sampson and the cities and towns in those counties to participate in a Council of
Governments (COG) perform study.
It was the consensus of the Board to support Option 3. Reinvigorate the Mid -Carolina COG as
follows:
• This option preserves the Mid -Carolina COG through intensive strategic planning and
commitment by the local governments to plan implementation.
• The strategic planning process would address governance structure (bylaws/charter),
services goals, and resource requirements from dues, fees and grant sources.\
• The product of the strategic planning process would be a multi-year action plan with clear
and measurable goals.
• After completion of the strategic plan, reinvigorating the organization would start with
hiring a new, dynamic and skilled executive director to lead the organization in
achievement of the performance goals outlined in the strategic plan.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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• In addition to competent executive leadership, re-establishing the Mid -Carolina COG as a
respected, innovative service provider would require the active involvement, direction
and support of the elected board members.
Discussions continued. Erwin Town Manager Snow Bowden and Coats Town Manager Nick
Holcomb commented.
Debbie Taylor, CEcD, Marketing & Business Recruitment Manager for Harnett County
Economic Development presented the following resolution for consideration by the Board during
their upcoming regular meeting:
1) Resolution to Support Future Interstate Upgrade for Highway 421 by NCDOT; and
2) Resolution to Support The NC Carolina Core by NC DOT
Mrs. Taylor also distributed a NC Carolina Core map showing four mega sites within a 60 -mile
radius; the Moncure mega site is located less than 10 miles from northwest Harnett County.
Harnett County Emergency Services Director Larry Smith and Senior Staff Attorney Monica
Jackson reviewed the fireworks permitting process. Staff previously believed this approval was
delegated to the Fire Marshall's Office but NC G.S. requires such approval to come before
the Board of Commissioners. Commissioners will consider approval of the revised application
and approval process for a Fireworks Discharge Permit at their upcoming meeting.
Ms. Jackson also updated the Board regarding Preservation NC. She said staff has talked with
Catherine Turner with Preservation NC who has agreed to a purchase price of $100,000 for the
old Boone Trail School facility. Final details have yet to be negotiated however; it was the
consensus of Board to accept the option to purchase for $100,000.
Staff reviewed appointments and vacancies on Harnett County's boards and committees.
Chairman Springle volunteered to serve on the Mid -Carolina Aging Advisory Council following
Vice Chairman Penny's resignation from the Council. Commissioners would like to review
which of the County's boards and committees are required by statue.
Mrs. Stewart reported a balance of $464,500 in recreational fees. She said these fees have been
used to pay on the debt for the Anderson Creek Park. Mrs. Stewart noted theses fees are to be
used in the township in which they are collected. Commissioners requested a list of townships
and monies available within each. Staff stressed that none of these recreational fees are available
to the towns.
Brian Haney and Renee Pascal presented Harnett County's Capital Improvement Plan FY 2020
totaling $3,598,551. Mr. Haney said Mrs. Pascal has brought some best practices to the capital
improvement planning process. Staff expressed interest in starting capital improvement planning
in the fall of the year moving forward. Staff responded that this plan does not include the new
proposed county building as it would be debt and the capital improvement plan is "pay as you
go"
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed April 15, 2019 regular meeting agenda. She sought support
to revitalize the Harnett County Local Government Association meetings; suggesting the county
April 9, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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sponsor a kickoff breakfast meeting. It was the consensus of Board to move forward with this
effort noting it would allow them the opportunity talk about the County's new building and
capital plan. The Board opted not to include the Board of Education at this time.
Mrs. Stewart announced the Board would be meeting jointly with the Board of Education on
Monday, April 29, 2019 at 11:00 am. Vice Chairman Penny asked that the Board of Education
provide them with a copy of the recent ORAD study. Staff will work jointly to develop the
meeting agenda. She also reviewed invitations and upcoming meetings and staff responded
regarding the old Benhaven School property.
Mrs. Stewart shared NC Department of Transportation's request for support to developing a
roundabout project on US 401 and Josey Williams Road to help address an accident history in
that location. This will be no cost to the County. Commissioners asked that NCDOT
representatives come and present the request to them during an upcoming meeting.
Commissioner Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss certain personnel matters; and
2) To instruct the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in
negotiating a contract for the acquisition of real property; and
3) Consultation with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the Attorney -Client
privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and threatened litigation, including
Jeffries, et als vs Harnett County and Drake Landing, LLC, Harnett County File No 11
CVS 1187, and 14 C.S. 2006 and any appeal thereof.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6)&(3).
Commissioner Elmore seconded he motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner McKoy
second the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the ��_-eting. Vice Chairman Penny second the motion
that passed unanimously.
Gors on Springle �� irnl'. ':� �I�rfra - :are Regina - - ler, Clerk
April 9, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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