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HomeMy WebLinkAbout072412mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Special Session July 24, 2012 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: Staff present: Timothy B. McNeill, Chairman Beatrice B. Hill, Vice Chairman Dan B. Andrews, Commissioner Gary House, Commissioner Jim Burgin, Commissioner Scott Sauer, County Manager Tony Wilder, Deputy County Manager Dwight Snow, Staff Attorney Sylvia Blinson, Finance Officer Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board Chairman McNeill called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the pledge of allegiance and invocation. Representatives from NC DOT were present to discuss options for closing a railroad crossing in Kipling. Mr. Greg Burns, Regional Engineer for Region 6 with NC DOT, noted there had been a lot of conversation and concern over the last couple of years regarding the Kipling issue. He said a public hearing was held on two of the options available and based on public comment they understood some citizens do not want to see a crossing closed. Mr. Burns also mentioned a recent meeting regarding this issue held in Raleigh with representatives from Norfolk Southern, NC Rail Division, NC DOT, four Harnett County commissioners and several citizens. Mr. Burns clarified the options available offer some flexibility regarding the crossing closing but the end result would be one Northfork Southern crossing to serve the community of Kipling. Mr. Ricky Temple and Ben Betts of Kipling offered an option which they felt provided a better solution for their community and would cost less. Mr. Betts explained their option extends Kipling Road to intersect with Harnett Central Road, shifts Hwy 401 and includes the installation of stop lights and turn lanes. The gentlemen also shared concerns regarding tractor - trailer July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 1 of 6 accessibility in the options proposed by NC DOT. Mr. Burns responded they would look at this proposal but noted that Kimley -Horn and Associate had already looked at this same option which was not considered due to many concerns. Mr. Burns reported the traffic volume and situation did not meet warrants for a signal light. Mr. Burns said safety, not cost, would be the driving force for this decision but disagreed that the citizen's proposal would cost any less than the others. Mr. Burns assured the group that accommodations would be made; regardless of the selected option, to accommodate "low- boys ", tractor - trailers and any other large transfer trucks needing to access the road. Mr. Burns reported that there are approximately 12,000 vehicles a day traveling by the Harnett County Courthouse with the number projected to increase to 28,000 in the near future with the opening of the new hospital. He reported traffic counts in Kipling are between 7,000 to 8,500. Mr. Burns also shared concerns with signals in rural settings as opposed to signals in an urban setting. Mr. Burns discussed the benefits of T- intersections as opposed to cross -road intersections. Chairman McNeill commented that he was impressed with the way the new off -set intersections were working on Hwy 87. Mr. Ed Johnson, Director of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), was also present. Mr. Johnson noted CAMPO's involvement came with proposed funding for the NC DOT project but without realizing the railroad crossing issue. Mr. Johnson said in recent conversation with Mr. Bill Barrington with Norfork Southern; Mr. Barrington said the private railroad crossing could remain open if Norfolk Southern were indemnified from any accidents which would require a nearby homeowner to take out an insurance policy for up to $5 Million for the crossing. Mr. Temple said neither he nor the church would be willing to insure the railroad crossing. Mr. Temple also asked that insurance ratings be taken into consideration when discussing moving roads as well as the fact that Harnett Central Road is an evacuation route for both hurricanes and the nuclear power plan. Jimmy Riddle, Harnett County Fire Marshall, said his office does have some concerns they would like to discuss with NC DOT regarding some of the proposed options. Chairman McNeill cautioned the group that a railroad crossing would be closed in the very near future. It was agreed that NC DOT representatives would continuing to try to work out a plan that best works for everybody and meet back with the Harnett County Board of Commissioners in a couple of weeks. July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 2 of 6 Mr. Sauer updated the board on library operations. Mr. Sauer reported that Cathey Clifton had resigned and retired from the county effective July 17, 2012. Mr. Sauer recognized Jackie Frye and Angela McCauley as key library staff he is heavily relying on during the transition. He also recognized representatives from the State Library with whom he said the county has a strong relationship with. Mr. Sauer noted Jennifer Pratt and Lori Special had been involved in meeting with staff and helping with recommendations as how to best to proceed with this transition. Mr. Sauer pointed out the Harnett County Library participates in a county wide system involving each municipality. He said he recently met with the town managers and town library managers to give them an update on where we are operationally as there is a significant back -log in catalogue items. He said a transition plan effort would most likely involve engaging an interim library director or consultant which he believes the state will provide some resources. He said effort would also include deselecting items in the collections and undertaking a county wide inventory of library materials. Mrs. Pratt said the State Library would do what they could to make sure the county has the resources it needs to get through this and plan for the future. Commissioner Burgin requested a report from the State Library of how the Harnett County Library system compares to others system with recommendation on how things could be done better. Mrs. Pratt said her staff could provide statistics for the library system compared to other same -size systems but suggested the County consider applying for a planning grant which would provide federal money to hire someone to perform a needs analysis for the county library system. She said the last analysis was perfolined in 2002 and she felt it was time for another; after the current situation was under control. Steve Ward, Director of Public Utilities, presented the revised Capital Improvement Plan for the Department of Public Utilities. The group had previously reviewed the plan during budget discussions. Mr. Ward noted the only was the addition of the West Central Transmission Project. Mr. Ward reiterated that approval of the plan does not commit the board however those commitments are handled individually through budget ordinances. Regarding improvements to the water lines in Erwin; Mr. Ward reported the lowest bid came from RLT Construction with Ricky Temple. He said, with the board's recent approval, the improvements would start soon and would be paid for out of the Erwin project. Mr. Ward said it would cost approximately $130,000 to replace the lines on D Street. He noted staff may need a permit revision for the improvements on E Street sine the lines will have to be relocated to other side of the street due to conflict with natural gas. Mr. Ward reported the need to perform a complete valve replacement in that Town of Erwin which will cost over $500,000. Mr. Ward said there is money in the Capital Improvement Projects for Erwin Infrastructure for July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 3 of 6 improvements on HW 421 but they were hoping to convince the town and the fire department to look at using those funds to make the water system improvements needed instead. Mr. Ward reported that staff recently received bids to install the water, sewer and fiber for the new medical school at Campbell University. He reported that bids had come in lower than expected and noted they would come before the Board for consideration and approval at their upcoming meeting on August 6, 2012. Mr. Blinson gave the Finance Officer's Report. She distributed and discussed: 1) Harnett County Sales Tax Analysis by Article, 2) Health Reimbursement Account summary; and 3) Statement of Cash Flows - Solid Waste Proprietary Fund. Mrs. Blinson told commissioners she did not have accurate balance sheets to share with them at this time as they were changing often as year -end information continues to come in. Mr. Sauer distributed a summary of Standard & Poor's published rating where sustained and maintained Harnett County's current rating of A +. Commissioner Burgin asked Mr. Sauer to find out what the County could be doing to improve their rating in the upcoming year. Mr. Sauer reported that the county has a signed letter of commitment from Mr. John Rankin who has agreed to be the new Human Resources Director starting August 13, 2012. Mr. Rankin is currently the Assistant County Manager and Director of Human Resources for Hertford County. Superintendent Tom Frye requested to be on the August 6, 2012, meeting agenda to deliver an update of their plans and desire to move forward on the Highland Middle School project. Mr. Sauer mentioned several land transaction propositions to the Board. First, the Boone Trail Ruritan Club has expressed interest in having in their possession or control the land across the highway from the Old Boone Trail School. Preliminary discussions proposed having the Ruritans survey the land desired and then entering into a proposed lease of 99 year with the County. Staff was hesitant to go through the upset bid process. Commissioner Burgin suggested going ahead with the bid process and selling the land with any proceeds from the sale going back to the schools. Commissioner Burgin said he doesn't believe the County should be leasing property that can be sold and gotten off of the county books. He also said he believed the county would spend over $3000 on legal work, tracking and documenting such an agreement. Second, the Shawtown High School Alumni Association has asked that the county gift approximately 5 acres of land on the Shawtown campus to their association. The Alumni currently leases a building on the campus. Mr. Sauer noted that the land the Alumni is interested July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 4 of 6 in would disrupt the flow of the Head Start Program located there. Mr. Sauer said the group is looking at building a community center type facility on the land in the future. Commissioner Burgin asked staff to verify if the school system would ever need that property for another school. Vice Chairman Hill said originally people of the community bought the land for the school many years ago. Mr. Sauer did not know if the Shawtown High School Alumni Association was a 5013C organization. Commissioner Burgin had shared information with Mr. Sauer regarding a citizen wishes to donate 2.46 acres of land near the Harnett Central school campus to the county. Mr. Sauer reported Superintendent Frye had indicated the school system would be interested in the land if the donation could be made to the Board of Education. Mr. Sauer will communicate with the parties involved to help facilitate this donation. Mr. Sauer noted the State Office of Budget and Management has Harnett County ranked as the third fastest growing county in North Carolina with a population of 118,615. Also, at the request of Town Manager Coley Price, Mr. Sauer shared information of an upcoming local seminar by Mitch Silver on the growth in the area surrounding Fuquay - Varina, understanding trends and planning for the future. Vice Chairman Hill asked about a contribution to Habitat for Humanity and noted her intent to bring this up at their next regularly scheduled meeting. She said Habitat for Humanity had previously built 17 homes in Harnett County and generated a lot of tax dollars. Commissioner Burgin said he had been approached by Ricky Temple who was raising money for the local 17U ball team traveling to competing in the world - series. He noted Mr. Temple had inquired about the use of county vans for transportation which legal staff was asked to research the request. Commissioner Burgin questioned the current policy regarding employee reviews stating he believed that each employee should have an annual review. Commissioner Burgin recommended that the county sale, either by bid or auction, all of the surplus property previously identified by Tax Administrator Tony Wilder. He said 100% of the funds could go to the schools. He also noted that Kevin Gregory with the Board of Education believes the school system has surplus property that should to be sold. Commissioner Burgin said as stewards of tax - payers money and property he believes a capital asset audit of all assets over $5000 should be performed. He suggested one person verifying each item on the asset July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 5 of 6 report. Commissioner Burgin said again he believes the county needs to park vehicles that are not on call due to gas prices, expenses, wear and tear on the vehicles and liability issues. Lastly, Commissioner Burgin said he had reviewed some of the information contained in the boxes recently provided by Poyner & Spruill and he believes the infolination should be released. Chairman McNeill questioned if staff had reviewed the information. County Attorney Dwight said the key issue would be if there were any personnel items in those papers that should not be released and would need to be redacted. Chairman McNeill asked legal staff to review the information and make a recommendation at their upcoming meeting. There was no need for closed session. The meeting adjourned at 10:26 am. Timoth McNeill, Chairman LGV eeler, Clerk July, 24, 2012 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 6 of 6