120120wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
December 1, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, December 1,
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:
Mark B. Johnson, Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Members Absent Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Staff present:
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Deputy Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Lindsey B. Lucas, Deputy Clerk
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
Commissioner McKoy led the invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
> Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
> DPI Facility needs survey presentation
➢ Discuss the Board of Education's request to apply for Needs -Based Public School
Capital Fund Grant
> Department of Social Services Update
D Fleet Maintenance Update
D Discussion regarding the purpose and bylaws for the Commission for Women and
Youth
> 2021-2022 CIP Presentation
D Discuss Proposed 2021 Schedule of Meetings of the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners
➢ County Managers Report
o - COVID-19 Update
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o —December 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
o — Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
o — Upcoming Meetings and Invitations
➢ Closed session
➢ Adjourn
Aaron Fleming, Superintendent for Harnett County Schools, called into the meeting to present
the DPI Facility Needs Survey Presentation. Mr. Fleming explained that every five years the
state of North Carolina requires school districts to estimate the dollars needed for new
construction additions or renovations to existing facilities. They are showing in the next five
years Harnett County Schools have a need of just under 242 million dollars. Discussions
continued.
Superintendent Fleming presented the Needs -Based Public School Capital Fund 2020 Grant
Application. Superintendent Fleming explained that Harnett County originally did not apply for
the grant mainly because you have to give up your lottery funding for five years. The maximum
amount Harnett County Schools could receive from the grant would be $10 million dollars since
Harnett County is a Tier 2 county, a Tier 1 county could receive a maximum of $15 million
dollars. Superintendent Fleming stated if they were to receive the full $10 million dollars it
would be applied to the Northwest Harnett Elementary School.Superintendent Fleming wanted to
make the point that if the Board were to approve this grant, they would not accept the grant,
unless it was the maximum $10 million grant. Questions were asked by the Board and
discussions continued.
Paul Polinski, Director of Social Services, went over with the Board in great detail about services
that are provided to the community by the Social Services Department. Mr. Polinski and Deputy
Director, Kelly Kelly, presented Commissioner Gordon Springle with an appreciation award for
his outstanding service on the DSS Board and years of devotion to the Harnett County
Department of Social Services.
Beth Blinson, Fleet Maintenance Specialist, gave an update to the Board on the Fleet
Maintenance Department. Questions were asked by the Board and discussions continued.
Paula Stewart, County Manager, went over the proposed 2021 Schedule of Meetings with the
Board of Commissioners.
Larry Smith, Emergency Service Director, gave an update on COVID-19 and gave an update on
the testing sites for COVID-19 in Harnett County.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft December 7, 2020 regular meeting agenda, upcoming meetings
and invitations. Commissioners reviewed applicants wishing to be appointed to serve on boards
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and committees.
Mrs. Stewart gave an update to the Board on the status of the Great Grant for Broadband in Harnett
County. Mrs. Stewart stated to the Board we were supposed to hear back from them on November
9, 2020 but we did not. Mrs. Stewart said CloudWyze actually received an email from the Great
Grant office on November 18, 2020 stating that it has been determined that these projects are not
eligible for cares act funding under the current US Department of Treasury guidelines, she said
there seemed to be some confusion about the money so Governor Cooper is holding that money
trying to figure out if it can really be used for this or not.
Commissioner Gordon Springle made a parting statement to the audience.
Commissioner Springle moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To consult the County's legal staff in order to preserve attorney client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6)&(4).
Commissioner Mckoy seconded the motion which passed 4-0.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner
Springle seconded the motion that passed 4-0.
Commissioner McKoy moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:39 am. Commissioner Matthews
seconded the motion that passed 4-0.
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
jr
Lindsey f . Lucas, Deputy Clerk
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