102715ssmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
October 27, 2015
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, October 27,
2015, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Jim Burgin, Chairman
Gordon Springle, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Shannon Eason, Administrative Assistant
Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the pledge
of allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the commissioners:
1) Harnett County Comprehensive Growth Plan
2) Public/Private Partnership Discussion
3) County Manager's Report:
- November 2, 2015 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
Mark Locklear, Planning Services Director, thanked the Board and Administration for the
opportunity to develop the Harnett County Comprehensive Growth Plan. He said they were very
pleased with the process and they learned a lot. Mr. Locklear thanked the consultants as well as
Cassie Cook with the Wildlife Group for funding $10,000 of the project. Economic
Development Director Nick Dula said he was excited about the Economic Development part of
the plan.
Kate Pierce, LandDesign, gave a quick presentation hitting some of the highlights of the
proposed Comprehensive Growth Plan. She noted the growth plan is currently at phase 5 with
the focus areas being Land Use, Economic Development, Public Utilities, Transportation, and
Natural Resources with land uses and economic development as the major focuses. Mrs. Pierce
said future land use is a policy tool to help make growth and development decisions near and
long-term. She said a few goals that this plan tries to accomplish are identifying areas for future
employment growth, identifying areas for future commercial growth, identifying areas for a
October 27, 2015 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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variety of housing types in Harnett County, and maintaining the rural character of the county and
its natural resources. Mrs. Pierce briefly touched on the nine (9) categories in the land use plan;
protected areas (Raven Rock), environmental sensitive areas (rivers), compatibility development
target areas (sewer& water ready), military corridor buffer, agriculture, residential focus areas
(low density with 1-3 units per acre & medium density with 2-5 units per acre), rural centers,
compact mixed use, and employment mixed use. Jake Petrosky, LandDesign, was also present
and addressed the group.
Ted Abernathy, Economic Leadership, presented the Economic Development Plan portion of the
Harnett County Comprehensive Growth Plan. He said there is a weakness in the economy in
Harnett County which include:
- 64% of Harnett residents out commute due to the lack of jobs in Harnett
- 2/3 or revenue of Harnett County residents is spent outside of the county
- No balance in tax base
- Fewer degrees in Harnett County
- Global trends against the county
Mr. Abernathy said Harnett County must take action by strengthening their website, using the I-
95 corridor, and establishing a business brand. He said Campbell University is a shining star for
Harnett and we need to strengthen those relationships, expand our resources, support existing
marketing, and get closer to existing businesses. Mr. Abernathy said we must build a better
overall product. He said Harnett County must build organizational capacity and a Public Private
Partnership is needed. Mr. Abernathy said Harnett County must get the public more engaged
with a State of the Region; establish a dashboard for citizens and monitor it.
Mrs. Pierce said greenways, trails, and bike attractions are needed in Harnett County for
economic growth. Mr. Lock told the board that recreation is a big deal with the citizens of
Harnett County but there isn't funding for this plan. He also noted Planning Services is working
on an alternative for the Hwy 401 project.
Commissioner Springle asked how to go about expanding utilities to existing areas in Harnett
County and how to increase pressure in fire hydrants. Mr. Petrosky responded the plan shows
areas where the existing water and sewer will need further upgrades with pump stations but said
Public Utilities has a good handle on these areas and can give ideas where more pressure is
needed.
Mr. Abernathy said Harnett County has done a good deal with raising high school graduation
rates but not so well on raising the skill rates which could be done by using CCCC more.
Discussions continued. Commissioner McKoy said the plan shows what we need to do. She
said Harnett County does not have enough to offer and we must put a plan into action. She
believes the key is having good schools and family recreation is needed as well. Chairman
Burgin asked the Board to look over the conclusion and recommendations, to come up with their
top 3 to 5 suggestions and we will strive to do them.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Regarding Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Abernathy discussed how to build a successful
partnerships. He said very strong by-laws are needed, govern around investments, and set a
higher budget for Economic Development with $250K — 400K being the normal range.
Chairman Burgin asked about relaunching the Harnett Forward Together Committee (HFTC)
and asked how you get the public to put money in such a partnerships. Mr. Abernathy said a one
person shop does not work for Harnett County; they need 3 to 6 people.
The group discussed the size and representation of a manageable Public Private Partnership. Mr.
Abernathy said you want people that represent well and who want to promote Harnett County;
people in health education, manufacturing, small business, geographically balances, agriculture,
diversity and a few from the public sector as well. Mr. Abernathy recommended that the
Economic Development Director staff the board but not be a voting member. He said Harnett
County will have a strong agriculture component for years to come and they should support and
grow it. Mr. Abernathy said they should utilize the Bragg community as well as using their
chambers more wisely.
Randy Baker, Senior Zoning Inspector, provided an update regarding Drakes Landing. Mr.
Baker said recent legislation has made hunting with a firearm legal on Sunday. Mr. Baker
reported effective October 1, 2017 local county governments will be able to specify if hunting
will be permitted at all on Sunday or regulate times of hunting on Sundays. Chairman Burgin
said this will be something the board will need to discuss further. Staff acknowledged Mr. Kent
Jeffries recently provided them a copy of a letter he sent to Judge Gilchrist asking for an appeal.
Mr. Baker noted 18 people reported hearing gunfire on Sunday and because the birds that are
released by Drakes Landing are not migratory birds, Drake's landing is in the confines of the
legislation.
Mr. Joseph reviewed the November 2, 2015 regular meeting agenda. He reminded the group of
the EOC Harris drill today. Mr. Joseph shared a request from First Choice Community Health
Center for a letter of support from the County for their federal grant application. Chairman
Burgin suggested that staff invite First Choice's Executive Director Sheila Simmons to speak to
the board regarding this request. Commissioners agreed to discuss the Public Private Partnership
on November 10th
Commissioner Miller reported Johnson Tilghman had officially resigned from the HFTC. He
also reported that HFTC has $190,960 in their checking account. Commissioner Miller also
noted that HFTC would like for the County to pay Mr. Tilghman Pope in the amount of $9,800.
Mr. Jeffries said they had some tax debt for some of their properties but Mr. Snow reminded the
group the County took the properties "as is" and did agreed to pay Mr. Pope in the agreement.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn th ..�� - ting at 11:04 am. Commissioner Miller
seconded the motionjvhich passed un
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
App%'o ret) 3-!3 -a
t Regina -eler, Clerk
October 27, 2015 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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