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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09161996 -,--r---'--~"~ - ._---~-----. .-~--- -- - ----~-------.-" .-~- - --- -~-------~~-~---~-. 484 HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING, SEPTEHBER 16, 1996 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 16, 1996, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, Lil1ington, North Carolina. Members present: H. L. Sorrell, Jr., Chairman Beatrice Bailey Hill, Vice Chairman Dan B. Andrews Joseph T. Bowden Walt Titchener . Staff present: Neil Emory, County Manager Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager Dwight W. Snow, County Attorney Vanessa W. Young, Finance Officer Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board Chairman Sorrell called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and Commissioner Andrews led the pledge of allegiance and prayer. Commissioner Titchener moved to approve the agenda as published with the following additions: proposed contract regarding the Harnett County Airport and appointment to the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote. Upon motion by Commissioner Titchener and seconded by Commissioner Bowden, the Board unanimously approved the following items on the consent agenda: CONTRACT WITH 1. Contract with Cary Stewart, Eastern Auction & Realty, for AUCTIONEER FOR auctioneering services for the Harnett County Annual Surplus SURPLUS SALE Sale, October 5, 1996 2. Final Subdivision Plats: FINAL SUBDIVISIONS SPRINGFIELD A. Springfield, 22 lots owned by The Quest Development Co., SR 1513, Neill's Creek Township, RA-30 Zoning District, 15.0 acres . OVERVIEW ESTATES B. Overview Estates, Phase VI, 27 lots owned by Pine Grove Development Corp., SR 1114, Barbecue Township, 19.38 acres, unzoned APPOINTMENT Commissioner Andrews made a motion to appoint Robert E. Smith to the Economic Development Commission for a 3-year term to expire 09/01/99. PUBLIC HEARING ON Chairman Sorrell called to order a public hearing on a zoning change request for Effie and Leon Carroll, from RA-20M to RA-30 ZONING CHANGE REQ. Zoning District, Buckhorn Township, SR 1403, 31. 0 +/- acres. EFFIE & LEON George Jackson presented the application and stated that the CARROLL purpose of the public hearing was to obtain comments from the public concerning the zoning change request. Chairman Sorrell opened the meeting for comments from the public. Comments were received from the applicants. There being no further comments, Chairman Sorrell closed the public hearing. The Planning Board recommended approval of the zoning change request. Commissioner Andrews moved to approve the change as requested from RA-20M to RA-30 Zoning District. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote. UPDATE ON FRAN UPDATE'ON HURRICANE FRAN DISASTER AND RECOVERY DISASTER & RECOVERY Neil Emory, County Manager, expressed appreciation to volunteers, especially firemen, the military, and others working together . during and since Hurricane Fran passed through Harnett County on Thursday, September 5th. All five Board members came to the Emergency Operations Center during the storm to make emergency decisions to respond to the disaster situation. Having emergency plans in place and having practice drills certainly paid off. All plans and skills are essential when we experience a real emergency. The Department of Social Services, Public Utilities, and Emergency Services were certainly tested by Fran. Now that we have survived, the questions are "Where do we go from here? and How can we help citizens recover?" Gary Pope, Emergency Services Director, presented an overview of the hurricane experience in Harnett County. Emergency Services started preparing 3 or 4 days in advance, keeping a close watch on weather stations' hurricane tracking. The day of the storm, towns were briefed on the potential emergency that could occur, and the County Emergency Operations staff was called in for briefings and preparation. Shelters were activated at Western -----..- -~~~_._--_.- . ,!1 .~1l:~ -J Harnett Middle School and Triton High School. The coordination between all organizations, DOT, Forestry, DSS, Mental Health, Animal Control, Sheriff's Department, and others was essential during and after the storm. Power outage in the County was estimated at 95%. Tax Department appraisers, with the help of volunteer firemen, performed an early morning assessment of damage throughout the County on Friday. They reported approximately 50 houses were totally destroyed, with 450 having major damage, and 2,500 receiving minor damage, totalling an estimated $150,000,000. Mr. Pope praised the military for the tremendous support removing debris, and for providing generators for the County's water plant, rest homes, farmers, businesses, . private homes and a radio station. The military also provided water buffaloes (tanks of water) at fire stations to supply drinking water f~r citizens that were without water. The NC Forestry Service removed debris from roads with assistance of fire departments. In addition to large limbs and other debris, thousands of trees were uprooted and many were blocking roads and were on houses and vehicles. Some roads had to be closed due to electrical wires downed by the trees and some roads ~nd bridges were washed out due to flooding as the County received record- breaking rainfall. The prison provided road crews to assist clearing roads and provided many bag lunches for volunteers and others. Few injuries and no storm-related deaths were reported in Harnett County. Supplies and food were requested from the state. Food from the State Food Bank was sent and distributed by a hastily formed volunteer group involving churches and civic groups, who were "up and running" very quickly providing meals to citizens. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program provided 4,100 meals in two days, many being delivered to shut-ins. Campbell University and the Buies Creek Fire Station opened their facilities for anyone needing a hot shower. The Health Department checked on migrant camps to ensure basic needs were met. Constantly updated news releases from the Emergency Operations Center were sent to all area media to keep citizens informed of the current situation and instructions to obtain basic needs. Ham radio operators provided an invaluable service as communications by any other means was at times not reliable. The 800 Radio System worked very well, even after the communications tower went down. Federal Emergency Management Agency assessment began and in two days Harnett County was . formally declared a disaster area. FEMA provided a phone number for citizens to call for individual assistance. Three hundred National Guardsmen set up camp at Harnett Central Middle School and Dunn Middle School with 93 vehicles to clear school yards of debris and to help other areas with clean-up. The Corps of Engineers is to assist residents in getting trees off their houses. Mr. Pope concluded by stating that the County is now in the recovery stage and citizens can call Emergency Services for information about sources of assistance. It will be months, possibly years, before the County fully recovers from the destruction caused by Hurricane Fran. Commissioner Titchener thanked Gary Pope for a job well done. Commissioner Hill stated that she hopes people in the communities realize that folks working together makes things better. Rodney Tart, Public Utilities Director, reported that all operations at the water plant lost power during the storm. Communications had to be established, large horsepower generators obtained, three major line breaks repaired, and debris removed from equipment. Other obstacles had to be addressed, such as 3 to 4 feet of flooding of the raw water pump station as the river rose. There were rumors that the Jordan Dam had burst and after water was restored on Saturday, rumors started that the water was contaminated and not fit for human consumption. Citizens were reassured by news releases and by staff at the Emergency Operations Center answering phone calls. Mr. Tart thanked Gary Pope and his staff, and the military for the tremendous job . getting safe water to Harnett County citizens in such a short time. At no time was the water unsafe to drink. Mr. Tart concluded by praising the community of volunteerisn. Chairman Sorrell commended the water department employees for working around the clock to get folks water. Jack Bryan, Department of Social Services Director, reported that 108 DSS employees participated to staff the shelters. Many were Red Cross trained in shelter operations. The two facilities sheltered 900 people Thursday night. Mr. Bryan reported that due to power outages causing loss of food, all August food stamps would be replaced. Also, one-time disaster relief food stamps would be issued. Harnett County received 6,000+ applications at 8 locations set up throughout the County. Food stamps will be provided to serve 14,620 citizens of Harnett County, with total food stamp value of $2,000,000. Mr. Bryan shared an amusing ~___~_.n~_____.. -- ~ T_____ __ Il nc.. ~~,Jf' ~\;~~ ;t ~ ~ 'L.-' ..../ story that happened during the worst part of the hurricane: The transportation staff employee at the EOC received a call from a woman who stated that she had 14 people in her mobile home and they wanted someone to come to the mobile home park and pick them up and transport them to the shelter at Western Harnett (she lives near the Moore County line). An 18 passenger van was dispatched to rescue the 14 people in the mobile home. The van arrived at the mobile home park, passengers got on, and the driver proceeded to the shelter. The van arrived safely, and 38 people stepped off the van. Neil Emory, County Manager, briefly summarized relief and recovery activities by other County departments and organizations: . - Solid Waste - two sites for disposal of debris at no charge - Health Department - called rest homes to arrange places for ill citizens who were being discharged from the hospital. They also stayed abreast of reports of anything that might affect public health. - Cooperative Extension - organized volunteer effort and continues with this work - Towns - working together to provide relief and recovery - School System - worked to locate electricians to assist with generators, fueled patrol and emergency vehicles, and provided hot meals for citizens - Finance Department's work begins now - to report costs for reimbursement by FEMA - Media - thanks for the coverage and keeping the public informed In conclusion of the Hurricane Fran update, Mr. Emory stated that Harnett County can and did respond to disaster and that we can do better. We will assess for future disasters. We have learned much from this experience. Again, he thanked the Board and the staff for all the support. . The Board directed the staff to develop a resolution to thank the military for their assistance. The Board thanked Mr. Emory and Mr. Pope for their leadership during this difficult time for Harnett County. LOW WEALTH FUNDS In the County Manager's report, Mr. Emory noted that the Board needs to discuss options for a solution to the problem associated with failure to receive Low Wealth Monies for the schools; then have a joint meeting with the Board of Education to discuss the matter. PARALLEL TAXIWAY Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager, reported to the Board on the parallel taxiway project at the Airport. PROJECT Commissioner Titchener made a motion to authorize staff to negotiate a contract with Barnhill Contracting Company to construct the parallel taxiway. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Hill moved that the Board go into closed session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). Commissioner Bowden seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote. Commissioner Titchener moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Titchener moved for. adjournment of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners Meeting, September 16, 1996. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. /( tek~irman Ka1~Bi~c~e Board '- ~~ .~~. .-- -