Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout013117wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session January 31, 2017 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, in the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: Staff present: Gordon Springle, Chairman Joe Miller, Vice Chairman Abe Elmore, Commissioner Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Howard Penny, Commissioner Joseph Jeffries, County Manager Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before commissioners: D Harnett County CTP Amendment, NCDOT Transportation Planning and Mid - Carolina RPO D Revision to Neills Creek Park Agreement with Board of Education Access at N. Harnett Primary D Veteran Affairs new position request D Township Boundary Issue D Capital Outlay Funding Request from the Board of Education D Waiver of Accumulated Holiday Leave for Sheriff's Department and Emergency Services D Review Rules of Procedures of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners D Discuss recording closed sessions of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners D County Manager's Report: - February 6, 2017 Regular Meeting Agenda Review - February 14, 2017 Working Lunch with Campbell Cabinet - HFTC Update D Closed Session January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 1 of 4 The following were present for the proposed amended Harnett County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) review: Hemal Shah, Transportation Planning Branch, NC Department of Transportation Dock Rosenthal, Transportation Planning Branch, NC Department of Transportation Mike Rutan, Mid -Carolina Rural Planning Organization Paul Black, NC Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Mark Locklear, Harnett County Development Services Jay Sikes, Harnett County Planning Services. Mrs. Shah reviewed the proposed amendments to Harnett County's 2011 CTP. Staff noted funding for projects is not guaranteed but projects must be in the plan to request funding. Mr. Rutan reported they had met one on one with the towns and Campbell University to develop the amended CTP for Harnett County. Mrs. Shah reported they held two public meetings. Mr. Locklear confirmed a public hearing was not required for the amended CTP. Commissioners will consider approval of the amended CTP at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Jeffries said staff had been talking with the Board of Education about the possibility of the County taking over their two middle school fields adjacent to Neills Creek Park. Mr. Davis noted this was an opportunity to expand and talked about proposed future plans including changing the entrance to Neills Creek Park. Mr. Davis said it is more feasible for the County to take advantage of existing facilities rather than trying to build new ones. It was the consensus of the Board for staff to move forward with discussions with the Board of Education, which could result in amending the 30 -year Neills Creek Park Agreement. Mr. Davis will present the Parks and Recreation Master Plan at the February 14, 2017, work session. Regarding access to N. Harnett Primary School, Mr. Jeffries reported that the property owners of the gravel path adjacent to the school are willing to sign a MOU that would allow us to use the path for emergency ingress and egress. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with this MOU. Mr. Jeffries also noted the cost of a new road; which would include decel lanes, a required turning lane, sidewalks, curb and gutter, would be approximately $500,000. He said the surrounding property owners, who have offered to donate land on the north side, are still willing to move forward. Mr. Jeffries sought additional direction from the Board. Discussions continued. Mr. Jeffries said this had not been discussed with the Board of Education. Vice Chairman Springle said we are looking for access and mentioned the possibility of sharing in the cost of sidewalks, curb and gutter. At the direction of the Board, Mr. Jeffries will approach the developer to discuss the possibility of partnering with the development of the road. Harnett County Veteran Services Director Eric Truesdale requested approval of a new Veterans Services Specialist position (Pay Grade 64) to facilitate expanding outreach programs, satellite January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 2 of 4 locations in the western part of the county and the Dunn/Erwin area. He said this is due to the forecasted veteran population growth and new Department of Veterans Affair's program requirements. He noted there are currently over 14,000 veterans in Harnett County and over $100 Million in benefits come back to the veterans in our county. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting. Regarding the waiver of accumulated holiday leave for Sheriff's Department and Emergency Services staff, Mr. Jeffries noted the recently adopted Personnel Ordinance gives shift work employees eleven (11) holidays upfront assuming they would be able to find some time during the year to take those days off. He also noted the Personnel Ordinance states "employees who fail to use their accumulated holiday time off before February 15th of each calendar year will lose this accumulated time." Mr. Jeffries said some shift work employees have not been able to take their holiday time off due to staffing issues and he does not want employees to lose the holidays they have earned. It was the consensus of the Board to allow these employees to carry their holidays over until staff could propose changes to the current Personnel Ordinance. GIS/E-911 Operations Administrator Clint Williams reviewed current township boundary issues and proposed township boundary changes and data cleanup. He said there are currently three different versions of township boundaries being used by the Board of Elections, Tax Department and GIS. Mr. Williams said he would like to have one township boundary map providing consistent and accurate data for everyone. He shared a new proposed map of township boundaries using rivers, roads and parcel lines guaranteeing no split parcels. The group asked how the new proposed boundaries would affect alcohol sales as well as other implications. Mr. Williams said this change would only affect the Tax Department. He noted the Averasboro school tax does not go by township. Any new township boundaries would be in effect for the next tax reval. in four years. The Board said they would like to see additional information before starting the public review process on new boundaries. Staff will research and discuss before bringing additional information back to the Board. Harnett County Finance Officer, on behalf of the Harnett County Board of Education, requested approval of an additional capital request for $225,000; $200,000 to replace a chiller at Harnett Primary and $25,000 to replace two water heaters in the cafeteria at Dunn Middle School. Mrs. Honeycutt said this request could be funded as part of the sales tax expansion. Harnett County Schools Director of Maintenance Darren McLean was available for questions. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request at their upcoming regular meeting. Commissioners discussed changes to their Rules of Procedures. Commissioners, staff and legal counsel will continue to review the procedures and discuss proposed changes at an upcoming work session. On February 6, 2017, commissioners will consider approval of a resolution to discontinue audio recordings of closed session meetings. January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 3 of 4 Mr. Jeffiies reviewed the proposed February 6, 2017 regular meeting agenda. He reminded the Board of their upcoming Legislative Luncheon on February 6, 2017. Mr. Jeffries reported Springsted had submitted their grade table study and staff would be evaluating the information to make sure it complies with what we have. He also noted staff was scheduling the first round of interviews for the Director of Human Resources. Mr. Jeffries said the Lee County Human Resources Director had been extremely helpful through this process and had agreed to lead the first round of interviews. Mr. Jeffries noted the Board would discuss Harnett Forward Together Committee (HFTC) board membership during their February 6, 2017 meeting. Vice Chairman Miller asked commissioners to please use a lot of thought when looking for people to serve on the HFTC board. He said we have revamped and reorganized the group that is supposed to take this county forward and we need some fresh faces; he said we do not need to go back to where we were. Mr. Jeffries reviewed the proposed agenda for the Board's upcoming working lunch with Campbell University's leadership. Mr. Jeffries also announced he would be attending the Annual Association of City and County Managers the next three days. Chairman Springle mentioned a potential bill in the General Assembly that would give disabled veterans 100% reduction of property taxes throughout the state; it is currently at 45% reduction. Mrs. Stewart said the Tax Department is working on what that impact would be for Harnett County. Chairman Springle noted he, Commissioners Penny and McKoy recently attended the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference. Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes: 1) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area serve by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners; and 2) To consult with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and other legal matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(4)&(3). Vice Chairman Miller seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Miller seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 am. Commissioner Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously Joe Mi er, Vice airman )44 eeler, Clerk January 31, 2017 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 4 of 4