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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111015ssmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Special Session November 10, 2015 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, November 10, 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 Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Miller led the pledge of allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before the commissioners: 1. Update regarding Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project 2. Tanner Aviation's request for waiver of fees 3. Discuss extension of Highland Middle School Road 4. Paramedics in the ER 5. Problem Properties 6. Capital Outlay Needs 7. Discussion regarding Public /Private Partnership Board and Harnett County Economic Development going forward First, Harnett County Public Health Director John Rouse recognized Intern Gabriel Washington, Campbell grad student, who he said was instrumental in putting the grant application together for the FY 17 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Federal Section 5310). He also noted Ms. Washington will continue to work with staff in developing this program. Commissioners thanked Ms. Washington for her work. Bruce C. McKay, Senior Policy Advisor, Federal Affairs, Dominion, provided an update regarding the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project. Piedmont Natural Gas Community Relations Manager (Eastern NC Region) Tammy Thurman and Duke Energy Government & Community Relations District Manager Marty Clayton were also present. November 10, 2015 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 1 of 5 Mr. McKay reviewed the following project details: Length: Approximately 550 miles Pipe: West Virginia: 42 -inch diameter Virginia: 42 -inch diameter North Carolina: 36 -inch diameter Secondary line: 20 -inch diameter Capacity: 1.5 billion cubic feet/day Three compressor station locations: 1. Lewis County, West Virginia 2. Buckingham County, Virginia 3. Northampton County, North Carolina Route: A proposed route is being studied. Dominion is collecting data through surveys and consultations with landowners and other stakeholders to determine the best route with the least impact to the environment, and to historic and cultural resources. Mr. McKay also discussed project safety, project benefits, economic analysis, regulatory process and expected timeline projecting in- service in late 2018. Mr. McKay responded to questions. Chairman Burgin asked what we could do to help. Mr. McKay suggested commissioners consider the adoption of a resolution of support. Chairman Burgin asked what we can do to access gas throughout Harnett County. Mrs. Thurman said with the pipeline coming through Piedmont Natural Gas has made an additional investment of $190 million dollars for additional infrastructure coming off of the pipeline. She said the County needs big industrial, large retail or things of that nature to say we are definitely coming to that area; for us to make that type of investment. Mrs. Thurman said this is still a possibility for the Hwy 87 area and noted the importance of involving legislators. Mrs. Thurman said she was going try and get Mr. Ron Mays, the head of this project for Piedmont Natural Gas, back to have a conversation about these areas and see exactly what we can do. Discussions continued. Mr. Clayton said when it comes to our energy future, particularly for eastern North Carolina, this project is critical. Mr. Clayton said we have a strong dependency on natural gas to generate electricity. He said where this doesn't necessarily guarantee we can bring natural gas where you want it, it does guarantee that we get capacity into the region. Barry Blevins, Director of Harnett County General Services, spoke to the board regarding Tanner Aviation's request for waiver of Special Aviation Service Organization (SASO) fees. Mr. Blevins did not recommend waiving the fees. He noted that Tanner Aviation has yet to pay these fees in the past nor have they signed a current lease. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approving a waiver /fee forgiveness for Tanner Aviation's past unpaid SASO fees but not waiving any lease fees due on lease execution. Mr. Blevins also updated the board on some Animal Services projects. He said staff works really well with a lot of different groups. Chairman Burgin asked staff to consider an event to recognize their volunteers. November 10, 2015 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 2 of 5 Greg Burns, NC DOT District 6 Engineer, was present to answer questions about the possible extension of Highland Middle School Road. This road would be a connector between Buffalo Lake and Tingen Roads. Mr. Burns noted originally the Harnett County Board of Education had presented a master plan to NC DOT as part of a driveway permit. Mr. Burns responded everything is in the works for the signal light on Buffalo Lake Road. Commissioner Miller said the stop light would not solve the problem. He said they need a road cutting through or to widen Buffalo Lake Road. Mark Locklear, Director of Planning Services, said he is working with staff at FAMPO to try to add this project. The current road has not been taken over by NC DOT. Vice Chairman Springle said we need to get the school system to agree on a route and verify they are willing to donate the land for the road extension. Mr. Burns will schedule a meeting regarding a possible secondary entrance for CCCC. Mr. Burns also agreed to look at the New Breed Daycare driveway on Hwy 401 outside of Lillington but said NCDOT cannot install a caution light at a private driveway. Mr. Burns said the Kipling Crossing project is going along fine and will hopefully be completed soon. Last, Mr. Burns will follow -up on the sidewalk project as commissioners questioned if the sidewalk would be extended to Hwy 210. Ricky Denning, Harnett County EMS Division Chief, said Harnett Health has approached them about using paramedics in the ER. Mr. Denning said the Non - Traditional Practice Setting Program basically means paramedics can work in the ER, hospitals, doctor's offices, etc. He said there are currently 22 facilities throughout the state utilizing this program to deal with the shortage of nurses. Mr. Denning said these paramedics would be employees of Harnett Health however N.C. certified paramedics must fall under Dr. Glaser also. Dr. Glaser and Harnett Health's Dr. Minor will work together to oversee this program. It was the consensus of the board to consider approval of this program after staff ensures legal precautions are in place. Harnett County Emergency Services Director Gary Pope, EMS Medical Director Mark S. Glaser and Fire Marshal Jimmy Riddle were also present. Mrs. Stewart said during negotiations for the Town of Lillington to assume the Flatwoods district, Lillington assumed they would keep all of the assets as well as continuing to receive rent from EMS in the amount of $1,500 a month. She noted Lillington said they had lowered their tax rate based on what the County asked them to do to take this over. It was the consensus of the board to transfer all assets from Flatwoods, including real property, to the Town of Lillington as soon as the new application was approved by the Attorney General's Office. Mr. Pope reported staff received great comments and high praise during the recent Shearon Harris practice drill. Randy Baker, Senior Zoning Inspector, presented the Problem Properties Abatement Program. Mr. Baker reviewed the proposed policy document for the program. Mr. Baker said the program November 10, 2015 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 3 of 5 mission is to protect the citizens of Harnett County and their properties against the harmful effects related to derelict property conditions. Other information reviewed included: • Program Goals • Program Benefits • Program Regulatory Authority ■ Program Procedures: Detection Methods, Reporting, Inspections, Evaluations, Prioritizing Actions, Methods of Abatement, Abatement Procedures, Abatement Contractors, Program Funding, Abatement Cost Reimbursement, and Detected Areas of Involvement Planning Services Manager Jay Sikes and Building Codes Administrator Ken Slattum were also present. Mrs. Stewart informed the group that the capital outlay needs would be discussed at a future meeting as staff was not prepared at this time. Regarding the Nonprofit Committee, Mrs. Stewart reported the committee has met to consider the $98,000 requested and would soon make recommendations to the Board. Mrs. Honeycutt reported that the Harnett County Board of Education is requesting permission to use remaining funds in the amount of $143,821.80 to cover HVAC control work for three middle schools. She said this is a capital outlay change approving expenditures and does not require new funds. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting. Human Resources Director John Rankins presented proposed revisions to the Personnel Ordinance: Article VI, Section 7, Vacation Rollover which included a change in the vacation rollover date from year -end to fiscal year -end; and to allow employees who retiree (and wish to do so) to roll all accrued vacation in excess of 240 hours into sick leave on their last day of employment, regardless of the month in which they retire. Mr. Rankins said the changes would not cost the County any money. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting. Mrs. Stewart updated the Board regarding the HUD situation in Harnett County. She said Sanford Housing Authority will set a schedule to be available to citizens in Harnett County and staff is working with them to secure a location. They are currently scheduled to be available at the library in Lillington on November 18th from 9 — 3. Mrs. Stewart also reminded the group of the upcoming grand opening of the Dunn Enrichment Center. Brian Haney, Harnett County Public Information Officer, provided some background information and current membership guidelines for the Harnett Forward Together Committee (HFTC). Commissioners discussed suggested membership categories for a Public /Private Partnership Board. Discussions continued regarding membership and representation. Chairman Burgin asked about the possibility of a Western Harnett Chamber for representation from that area. November 10, 2015 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 4 of 5 The group also discussed bylaws and the need to set term limits. They also discussed staffing needs for Economic Development. Commissioners suggested staff schedule a lunch with some of the larger employers in the county to get their input. Commissioners agreed to discuss with HFTC once they have a plan in place. Mr. Stewart noted the Economic Development website is currently under construction. She also reported that staff has put the RFQ for a broker back out for bids until December 4, 2015. Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:47 pm. Vice Chairman Springle seconded the motion which passed unanimously. urgin, Chai argttret Regin eeler, Clerk November 10, 2015 Special Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 5 of 5