091520wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
September 15, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, September 15,
2020, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney
Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Due to COVID-19 this meeting was not open to members
of the public to attend in person however, citizens and staff were provided options to listen to the
meeting live. Only County staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to speak on scheduled
agenda items were in attendance, stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the
recommended social distancing of six feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law
and prudent public health practices.
Members present:
Howard Penny, Jr., Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Member absent: Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Staff present:
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Penny called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
Invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Discuss proposed lease with Central Carolina Community College regarding the
Harnett Health Sciences Center
➢ Discuss upcoming public hearing regarding the County applying for the North
Carolina Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Program
➢ COVID-19 Update
➢ County Manager's Report:
September 21, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
Invitations and upcoming meetings
• Closed session
• Adjourn
September 15, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Senior Staff Attorney Christopher Appel discussed a proposed lease with Central Carolina
Community College regarding the Harnett Health Sciences Center in Lillington. He explained
that the County leases the building from RedRock LLC, who built the building, but does not
currently have a lease in place with CCCC. Mr. Appel reviewed the required process for any
lease longer than 10 years, which he said per statute, has to be treated essentially as a sale of
property. He noted available to us is the private sale procedure to an entity that conducts a
public purpose. Mr. Appel acknowledged that CCCC does conduct a public purpose by
providing education to our citizens. He reiterated that we are obviously not selling the building
but must follow the procedure that the Board must adopt a resolution authorizing lease with
CCCC. He noted after the resolution has been published for 10 days the lease can then be
signed. He said the lease lays out the general terms through 2038. Mr. Appel responded to
questions and discussions continued.
Assistant County Manager Coley Price and General Services Director Barry Blevins discuss the
upcoming public hearing regarding the County's interest in seeking Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds specifically applying for the North Carolina CDBG Coronavirus
Program. Mr. Price briefly reviewed the process noting staff has been researching partnerships
to assist with the grant. Mr. Blevins stressed that the first step for any CDBG funds is a public
hearing which gives us the opportunity to hear about all CDBG needs as the objective to any
block grant is to benefit low to moderate income persons. He said this particular grant makes
available 900,000 to the County to apply for Coronavirus based services. Staff noted how
difficult administering such a grant would be, noting not many people are doing this. Mr.
Blevins said this particular way to serve the public is hard to pull together however grant
guidelines are forthcoming. Mr. Blevins said the State will not give us a grant unless we have
the administrative capacity to do it. Mr. Blevins responded to questions and discussions
continued. The group shared concerns regarding administering and delivery of such a program.
Staff said they will continue to try to figure out how to make this happen over the 30 months.
Mr. Blevins also provided an update regarding HARTS as they plan to increase capacity to 65%
or 70% in order to provide more demand -response services. Mr. Blevins responded to questions
noting HARTS drivers are not taking temperatures of riders yet.
Mrs. Stewart sought direction from the Board regarding the Farm Service Agency's (FSA)
request to reopen to the public on a limited basis. The FSA office is located in a county building.
She noted on-going discussions among departments regarding reopening and reported that the
Harnett County Tax Department and Development Services Office have recently reopened to the
public on a limited basis. Commissioners asked that FSA staff prepare and present a plan for
reopening for their consideration.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed September 21, 2020 regular meeting agenda.
Commissioners asked about touring the new resource center and library facility.
September 15, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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There were no proposed applicants for appointment to boards and committees at this time.
Chairman Penny talked about the need to start replacing him on the boards and committees that
he serves on as a commissioner as he will soon take the oath to serve as the NC Representative
for District 53. Commissioners will discuss this during their September 29th work session.
Mr. Snow was previously asked to research if the Board could legally reappointment Gordon
Springle to the CCCC Board of Trustees for an additional four years as requested. Mr. Springle
was previously appointed to serve a four-year term on the CCCC Board of Trustees expiring
June 30, 2021 and is asking to be reappointed for an additional four-year term that will expire
June 30, 2025. Mr. Snow said, after researching the statutes and the CCCC Board of Trustee
bylaws, it is his opinion that the Board of Commissioners can legally reappoint Mr. Springle to
serve an additional four years if that is the will of the Board. Commissioners will consider
approval of the reappointment during their upcoming regular meeting.
Mr. Price talked to the Board regarding a citizen's complaint against her neighbors for riding
ATVs and dirt bikes on their property. Mr. Price sought direction from the Board regarding the
citizen's request that the Board modify the County's Noise Ordinance. Mr. Appel addressed the
Board saying he does not recommend modifying the ordinance at this time as this is a civil
matter between neighbors. Discussions continued and it was the consensus of the Board that
staff respond to the citizen that they do not plan to modify the County's Noise Ordinance.
Mrs. Stewart requested that consideration of the Application for Public School Building Capital
Fund North Carolina Education Lottery by the Harnett County Board of Education for release of
$1,021,528.00 be added to the September 21, 2020 regular meeting.
There was no need for closed session.
Commissioner Springle moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 am. Chairman Penny seconded
the me ion hichapassed unanimously.
Joe ilTer, Vice Chairman
September 15, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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