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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051509mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session Friday, May 15, 2009 Board of Commissioners Meeting Room Administration Building, 102 East Front Street Lillington, NC 27546 Chairman Timothy B. McNeill called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Burgin gave the invocation. Attendees: Chairman Timothy B. McNeill, Vice - Chairman Beatrice Hill, Commissioner Gary House, Commissioner Jim Burgin, Scott Sauer, Jennifer Slusser, Keith Faulkner, Billy Godwin, Dwight Snow, Tony Wilder, Sherre Toler, Trinity Faucett, Sylvia Blinson, Mark Locklear, Joseph Jeffries, Joel Strickland, two Harnett Historical Association members, Elizabeth Crudup, Thomas Ellis, Carolyn Tracey, Andrea Valdez, Ricky Denning, Gary Pope, Penny Drouillard, Lee Anne Nance, Steve Ward, Gina Daniel and Kay Blanchard Mr. Billy Godwin, County Tax Attorney, gave a detailed overview of the tax foreclosure process. Mr. Godwin said that bringing a case to him is usually the last resort; they typically don't start the foreclosure process until after 2 years of other options have been exhausted. Mr. Godwin reported that delinquent taxes collected from July 1, 2007 to March 2008 were $189,744 with cost/fees totaling $48,000. Mr. Godwin said his fee to handle foreclosures for the county is $500 for first parcel and he could also collect 5% of the sale. Mr. Godwin receives a $500 monthly retainer as the County Tax Attorney. Mr. Godwin said he is currently working on between 30 to 40 county cases. Mr. Godwin said that extra money left over after a sale on foreclosed property is turned over to the Clerk of Court's office where other creditors petition for funds owed them. Mrs. Carolyn Tracey and Andrea Valdez with Mid - Carolina's Area Agency on Aging spoke to the Board of Commissioners about the need for involved committee members on both the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee and the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. The stressed the fact that these committee members where the eyes and ears of the Commissioners. Mrs. Valdez said that the Division of Social Services monitors some of these facilities but the state actually inspects nursing homes every 12 to 15 months. Chairman McNeill asked Dunn Daily Record reporter Brian Haney to please help get the word out about the need for committee members. Mrs. Tracey said she is currently involved in helping draft a manual that would be very helpful in this area. Mrs. Valdez stated that committee members are reimbursed for mileage to visit facilities. Both encouraged commissioners and staff to look to students at universities as potential committee members. May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 1 of 7 Mr. Thomas Edward Ellis II, President and Elizabeth Crudup, Executive Director of Harnett Historical Association addressed the commissioners and staff regarding the Overhill's Estate now owned by the military. The Board was asked again to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Harnett Historical Association to manage a proposed project to move buildings onto property owned by the County. Staff Attorney Jennifer Slusser spoke to the members of the Harnett Historical Association regarding the need to provide information requested by the County to consider entering in to a lease. Mrs. Slusser said there is no documentation on file that the Association has received their 5013C status. She also mentioned confusion with citizens between their Association and the Harnett County Historical Properties Commission. Mr. Ellis and Ms. Crudup said they saw no need to provide the requested information; they are not asking for ownership, title or funds from the county, only permission to use the land and they want to be treated fairly and the same as any other organizations or associations dealing with the county. Both Chairman McNeill and Vice -Chair Hill informed Mr. Ellis and Mrs. Crudup that there would be no vote to move forward until the requested information had been provided. Commissioner House told members of the Harnett Historical Association that he believed that the county's request for information was very reasonable but he also agreed that others had not been asked to provide the same information and cited First Choice as an example. Sherre Toler, Director of the Harnett County Board of Elections, spoke to the board regarding the Board of Election's 2009 -2010 budget request. The Board has requested an additional $22,000 for proposed precinct realignments and consolidation to handle some safety and efficiency issues. The Board of Elections recently spent $22,500 on special election. Commissioner House asked that the Harnett Forward Together Committee fund part of the special election cost. County Manager Scott Sauer reminder every one that Dr. Bill Atkinson, CEO of WakeMed Health & Hospitals, would give an update and briefing regarding the Harnett Health Systems and construction project schedule at 11:30 a.m. on May 20, 2009 in the Commissioners meeting room. Joel Strickland, Rural Transportation Planning Director with Mid - Carolina Council of Governments, addressed the group. He apologized for having to come back to the board because they had previously approved the Amended MOU last year. He said they were now ready to move forward with the MOU for cooperative, comprehensive and continuing transportation planning and the establishment of a rural transportation planning organization. The Amended MOU will be placed on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting. Joseph Jeffries, Director of the Harnett County Planning and Inspections Department, gave an update on recent permit activities. He passed out several charts including total revenue, yearly permits issued, yearly inspection fees, inspection revenues with projections, building permits with projections and planning revenue with projections. May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 2 of 7 Mr. Jeffries also reported that the zoning of Stewart's Creek Township project is going well and they hope to be able to come back before the Board of Commissioners in June. Gary Pope, Fire Marshall and Director of Emergency Management for Harnett County, discussed the Benhaven Rescue Services and several options regarding ways to cover that area of the county. Calls to the Benhaven Rescue have increased by 311 in one year due to growth in that area. Mr. Pope stressed the need for an additional ambulance in that area immediately. He reported that the cost of providing these types of services were almost the same cost for the county now verses at the local level. Tony Wilder, Assistant County Manager, reported that 434 acres on the Harnett/Cumberland line Had recently been donated and placed in to the state park system. The land had been with the The Nature Conservancy since 2004. Mr. Wilder gave an update on the tax revaluation appeals. Per information provided by Acting Tax Administrator Keith Faulkner, the tax office has received 8,196 appeals with 697 of those being commercial properties. As of May 14th the tax office had reviewed 6,622 of those appeals and hope to send out notices soon. The Board of Equalization and Review have already started meeting and is schedule to adjourn on June 25t". Mr. Wilder also mentioned a possible $25,000 homestead exemption for elderly people. Mr. Faulkner did report that we are actually ahead in terms of taxes collected this year verses the same time last year. Mr. Wilder gave an update regarding the Vietnamese pot belly pig, Clover, in the Town of Erwin. Mr. Wilder along with Attorney Slusser will be meeting with the Town of Erwin Attorney and Manager Brian Thompson regarding the Harnett County Animal Control Ordinance soon. Mr. Wilder mentioned the City of Dunn's request to waive solid waste fees proposed the Board rescind their earlier decision. In 2006 the Board of Commissioners voted to waive half of C &D landfill for houses demolished in city limits for beautification purposes. Mr. Wilder reported that at this time we are incurring expenditures because it is currently costing us $37.20 per ton and we currently charge $34 per ton. Mr. Wilder said we can't afford to waive fees and recommended that the board ask the City of Dunn to pay the current rate. Commissioner Burgin asked about the possibility of delaying the fees instead of waiving them. Commissioner Burgin asked for an explanation of cost included in the current cost of $37.20. The Board of Commissioners took a short break to serve themselves; Vice -Chair Hill gave grace, and they continued to work. Attorney Dwight Snow reported that the County is in negotiation with Ed Turlington to purchase the land where the Harnett County landfill is located. Mr. Jerry Blanchard, Director of Harnett County General Services, said we need to own this land, we need the title to the land where the so we can continue to monitor it. Originally the town leased the landfill properties. After Mr. Turlington worked out some overlap issues the land surveyed at 33.45 acres which was more than originally thought. The County had agreed to pay Mr. Turlington $2000 per acre which May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 3 of 7 totals $66,900 now. The Board had previously authorized this purchase at a lesser amount because of less acreage. Sylvia Blinson, Finance Director, said that the money for the purchase of the landfill land would be as a budget amendment on the consent agenda at the May 18, 2009 meeting. Mr. Sauer proposed that the Commissioners allow the Finance staff to use the debt set -off program for all Harnett County collections including solid waste fees. Commissioners present agreed but believed the Finance staff was already doing this for collections. Lee Anne Nance, Director of Harnett County Economic Development, updated the Commissioners on the Good Hope In- patient Facility. The project has been submitted to the Rural Center for a renovation grant. This project looks good at this point and would provide 19 full time jobs. Mrs. Nance update the group on the Intermodal Transport Project. They have met with NC Department of Transportation. This project will include state, federal and local improvements on US Highway 401. Congressman Etheridge is currently working on this project and NC DOT donated the services of Consultant Danny Gilbert to work on the project. Chairman McNeill said Harnett County would own the rail spur and have an operations agreement with industry. Mrs. Nance updated the Commissioners on the Brightwater Business Center and Science & Technology Campus. Staff is currently reviewing road placement options around wetland areas. They recently found out that more land is buildable than originally thought. Staff is looking at the USDA Golden Leaf as a possible funding source to develop conceptual design and budget so they can apply for additional grants. They are meeting with NC DOT regarding design options for US 401 and the main entrance into Brightwater. NC DOT is excited about the possibility of a super street. The Brightwater Committee would like both a road from property to Hwy 210 as well as an entrance on the service road. Mrs. Nance reported that she and others had met with land owners surrounding the site as well as McDonald's to update them on the project and answer any questions. Economic Development will also have a breakfast meeting with Lillington Chamber soon. Economic Development staff is working on a generator map that includes all of the economic activities within 5 to 10 mile of the area. Mrs. Nance gave an update on the EDA grant for $1.2 million and believes federal and state issues regarding this grant have been worked out. We should know the details regarding water, sewer and paving in June. Mrs. Nance reported that infrastructure should start in early she hoped to have a schematic of the hospital at the end of May. Staff is working with First Choice to see which lot they would like and that will accommodate the 20,000 square feet needed and then the land will be transferred over to First Choice. Harnett County currently has $200,000 left with the Rural Center before we reach our maximum. The rezoning will be done by the Town of Lillington. Attorney Dwight Snow asked that he be informed when the rezoning is done. The County will provide the water and the Town of Lillington will provide the sewer to the campus. May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 4 of 7 Mrs. Nance reported that the WHIP spec building had been placed in national publications. Some upgrades had been made to the facility as well as the parking lot had been paved. The WEAVE plant had been listed in global mailer and ads. Economic Development staff had recently updated their industrial brochures. Commissioner Burgin complimented the Economic Development website and asks that they list the Ace Hardware site. Commissioner Burgin also asked if Economic Development had an agreement with Harnett County realtors to compensate them if they held with an industrial site. Mrs. Nance said this would be handled with a real- estate commission sales agreement. Economic Development only lists industrial buildings. Chairman McNeill believes that the commissioners will soon have to sponsor getting a Harnett County Chamber started. Mrs. Nance and staff recently meet with the NC Department of Commerce regarding the Brightwater campus and were told they first needed a feasibility study. The possible location of a YMCA in Angier has one more committee to go through which the Commissioners recently voted for a resolution to support this. The Mayor of Angier would like to hold a joint meeting with the Harnett County Board of Commissioners at the time of the YMCA opening. Mrs. Nance reported that she has four active defense projects which resulted from media coverage /website /BRAC. She said lots of projects are "holding steady until better times ". Mrs. Nance and staff as well as Campbell staff will be going to Atlanta next week to staff a NC booth. Commissioner Burgin asked that we encourage that we use local companies as much as possible but to also encourage construction companies to use local people as well as buying supplies locally. He asked if we knew how much money from the construction of the recent new law enforcement center actually stayed in the county. Mrs. Nance reported that the Brightwater project would go out for bids soon but stated that Economic Development is very committed to keep money and work local. She asked that any calls received concerning contracts for this upcoming work be refer to Mike Jones at Wake Med. Mr. Steve Ward, Deputy Director for Harnett County Public Utilities discussed the Town of Linden's Maintenance Agreement Renewal. This agreement comes up for renewal every five years. He said that the agreement did include some price increases and this renewal would be placed on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2009 meeting. Mr. Ward presented a proposed engineering services agreement with Marziano & McGougan, P.A. for the Wastewater Master Plan Study Project. It was the consensus of the commissioners present that this item be removed off of the upcoming agenda and asked Mr. Ward to go out for bid on this project and then bring it back to them. May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 5 of 7 Mr. Ward updated the group regarding the USDA Bond Resolution — South Central Water and Sewer District's 2009A and 2009B General Obligation Water and Sewer Bonds, the proceeds of which will be used to take out the bond anticipation notes that were issued back in December. The closing for the sale of the bonds has been set for June 15. This item will be on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2009 meeting. Ms. Sylvia Blinson, Harnett County Finance Officer, went over a revenue forecast and a budget snap shot. She said typically in any budget there is money not expended. She said that currently this is basically 13% of our fund balance. Commissioner Burgin asked that she please show how this compares to last year's numbers. Ms. Blinson reported that we would lose Article 44 on sales tax revenue as well as losing Medicaid. Chairman McNeill said we would lose 1.7 million on ADM funding also Mr. Sauer explained to the Commissioners that Harnett County doesn't currently use the uniform state chart of accounts, which causes challenges in fiscal reporting to the State. Ms. Blinson said that a budget amendment for jail staffing in the amount of $426,019 would also be on the consent agenda for the May 18, 2009 meeting, to cover personnel expenses through June 30. Trinity Faucett, Director of Harnett County Human Resources, distributed hand -outs of health insurance cost containment options. The Commissioners asked Mrs. Faucett to come back with another option numbers that included a $500 deductable with no out of pocket for employee and dental optional. County Manager Scott Sauer updated the Commissioners on activities regarding the Mid - Carolina Local Workforce Investment Area. Mr. Sauer told the Commissioners that staff is composing a resolution opposing Senate Bill 758 which would return responsibility for secondary roads back to the counties as well as a resolution opposing Senate Bill 202 which included a Public Health Improvement Plan. Mr. Sauer reminded every one about the joint meeting with the Harnett County Board of Commissioners and the Town of Lillington Commissioners on May 19, 2009, at 6:00 pm at Nonna's Italian Restaurant, 11 West Front Street, Lillington, NC Mr. Sauer presented the Commissioners with the NC Department of Transportation's (NC DOT) request for a 3 acre right -of -way from the county along the Cape Fear River to replace Bridge No. 46 (at Howard's BBQ). Mr. Sauer hoped that NC DOT would be willing to work with the county on several pending requests, including the HC Department of Public Utility road. The new bridge is proposed to be completed in 2010 as well as re- working the intersection at the liquor store. May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 6 of 7 Mr. Sauer gave a quick update on the Vandercroft Agreement and the McKinny Parkway Lift Station Agreement. Attorney Slusser said we are asking the Town of Lillington to give us the McKinny Parkway Lift Station which would benefit both the Town and the County. Mr. Sauer reported that the Town of Lillington is interested in a proposed land transfer for a new fire station along the river. Mr. Sauer hopes negotiations regarding this possible land transfer would help us with inspections with out Planning Department because currently Lillington wants to keep inspections. Mr. Sauer reported that Mr. Ferrell and staff are moving along on school construction and are looking at new technology including modular schools. They recently met with a company from Robeson County that produces modular schools. Mr. Sauer told the group that he had recently met with James Wicker who has land that adjoins the West Park Property. Mr. Wicker voiced concerns regarding unauthorized activities on county property at West Park. He wants signage and restrictions posted. Enforcement of restrictions would fall to the two Wildlife officers that cover the whole county. The Board directed staff to investigate the cost of posting signs on the property Mr. Sauer reported that Representative Lewis had recently called him with what he hoped was a solution regarding county recreation fees which was adjusting building permit fees which he later learned is not permissible under NC General Statutes. Chairman McNeill reported that H.B. 1007 didn't take it out of committee. The Commissioners discussed the upcoming NACo Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in July. Both Chairman McNeill and Vice - Chairman Hill said if they attended the conference they planned to pay their own expenses. Gina Daniel, Assistant to the County Manager, spoke to the group regarding logistics for Kay S. Blanchard's retirement reception, dinner, gifts and ceremony and at the May 18, 2009 meeting Attorney Dwight Snow asked that a resolution allowing him to condemn the Randy Collins property be placed on the consent agenda for May 18, 2009 meeting. e Ti othy B. �4eill, Chairman May 15, 2009 Minutes of Work Session Page 7 of 7