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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020419mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Regular Meeting February 4, 2019 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 4, 2019, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: Staff present: Gordon Springle, Chairman Howard Penny, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Joe Miller, Commissioner Abe Elmore, Commissioner Paula Stewart, 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. Commissioner Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. Chairman Springle called for any additions or deletions to the published agenda. Mrs. Stewart requested the addition of Harnett County Finance Office's request for approval of an amendment to the contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs. P.A. to audit the County's accounts. Mrs. Stewart requested the deletion of the Sheriff's Office requests for approval of a Consulting Services Agreement and additional Administrative Assistant associated with CALEA. Mrs. Stewart said staff will present all of the numbers needed for this program during the upcoming work session. Commissioner Elmore moved to approve the agenda as amended. Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Commissioner Elmore moved to approve items on the consent agenda. Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 1. Budget Amendments: 672 Emergency Services Code 1104411 529090 EMP18-OPERET-EMPG-INITIALAMT 35,000 increase 1104411 330210 EMP18-FEDERAL-NCP02-EMPER 17,500 increase 1104411 330310 EMP18-STATE-NCP02-EMPER 17,500 increase February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 1 of 866 Veterans Treatment Court Code 2504185 504010 2504185 519090 2504185 523040 2504185 526010 2504185 531030 2504185 531050 2504185 539090 2504185 544000 2504185 59090 2504185 544000 2504185 330210 1003 Board of Education Code 5905910 555000 5903900 390982 Expense Allowance Professional Service -Other Medical Supplies Office Supplies Lodging Registration Other Services Contracted Services Other Services Contracted Services Federal Grant Capital Outlay -Equipment Transfer From -Special Rev 1005 Economic Development Code 2705910 598500 Interfund Trans -Capital Res 2703900 390990 Fund Balance Appropriated 2. Tax rebates, refunds and releases (Attachment 1) 8,270 increase 125,568 increase 1,862 decrease 2,545 increase 6,142 decrease 129 increase 11,676 increase 100,110 decrease 2,400 decrease 2,400 increase 40,074 increase 841,307 increase 841,307 increase 841,307 increase 841,307 increase 3. Administration requested approval of revisions to the Harnett County Personnel Ordinance. The proposed revisions are intended to clarify expectations for County employees during activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as during Adverse Weather Events. Portions of the Personnel Ordinance, which are being revised, include adding a definition for "Work Week" under Article I, Section 3 (Definitions); Article III, Section 18 (Emergency Operations Compensation); Article V, Section 11 (Emergency Operations); and Article VI, Section 13 (Adverse Weather Policy). 4. Proclamation Recognizing Mrs. Helen Chaffin Byrd on this 100th Birthday 5. Harnett Regional Water requested approval of write-offs for the fourth quarter of 2018 totaling $31,141.80. All of these accounts have been delinquent for more than three years. The facilitation of these write-offs is an important step in a continuing effort to effectively manage collections and bad debt. 6. Harnett County General Services requested award of bid to Southeastern Construction of Buies Creek in the amount of $771,970.00 for community building renovation at the Shawtown Campus, Lillington, NC. Southeastern Construction was the sole bidder, lowest responsive and responsible bidder; both times the project was advertised. Award amount was arrived at by negotiation after original bid exceeded funds available for the project. February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 2 of �, 7. Harnett County Finance Office requested approval of an amendment to the contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs. P.A. to audit the County's accounts. Additional time was needed due to Hurricane Florence, software conversion and staff turnover. Chairman Springle opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing up to 3 minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes. - Penny Christman of the Carolina Seasons subdivision in Cameron addressed the Board. Commissioner Miller moved to approve the appointment listed below. Commissioner McKoy seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Harnett County Public Facilities Corp. Board of Directors Steve Ward was reappointed to serve on this board for a term of one year expiring March 31, 2020. Vice Chairman Penny questioned why they were considering appointments to the Harnett County Jetport Committee, as he believed the committee had been disbanded. Staff explained they were submitting appointments for consideration in accordance with the revised Bylaws of the Harnett County Jetport Committee adopted by the Board of Commissioners on November 5, 2018. Commissioner McKoy responded she had a different understanding and reminded the Board of her earlier nomination of Walter Massey to serve on this committee as a District 1 representative. Staff was directed to hold the current applications until commissioners could discuss the Harnett County Jetport Committee during the February 12, 2019 work session. County Attorney Dwight Snow presented a proposal from Everette E. Smith to purchase a real property tract owned by Harnett County. The property is described as a 1.8 -acre tract located in Johnsonville Township off Dove Road, Cameron, NC 28326 with Parcel ID No. 0995469000. The tract is a wooded lot that has no public road frontage and is contiguous to the home place of Mr. Smith's mother. Mr. Smith has made an offer on this property of $6,000, which is based on the county tax value of $5,460 plus an additional amount, which would cover the county's advertising cost with the local newspaper pursuant to the General Statute requirements. Mr. Snow provided a copy of a real property proposal letter by Mr. Everette E. Smith dated January 14, 2019 together with his statutory deposit check of $300, deed for subject property to County of Harnett, Harnett County Tax Department card of subject property showing tax value of $5,460 and a proposed resolution to sell real property. Commissioner Elmore moved to approve the Resolution by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners to Sell Real Property as presented. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. (Attachment 2) February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 3 of / Mrs. Stewart presented the following reports: - Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Action, Inc.'s Community Services Block Grant — Community Anti -Poverty Plan Grant Application - Harnett County DSS Monthly Report — December 2018 Mrs. Stewart noted that she and the assistant county managers would be out of the office Wednesday through Friday of this week attending the North Carolina City and County Management Seminar in Winston-Salem, NC. Staff also reported on a recent meeting regarding broadband initiatives. Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss certain personnel matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6). Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner McKoy Seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Chairman Springle recessed the meeting. Following the regular Board meeting, several commissioners toured the Harnett County Waste Water Facility located at 607 Edwards Brothers Drive in Lillington. Chairman Springle reconvened the meeting of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners at 11:45 am. Commissioners hosted their 2019 Legislative luncheon and the following legislators and legislative staff attended: Senator Jim Burgin Representative John I. Sauls Representative Larry Strickland Kim Barnes on behalf of Senator Tom Tillis Carol Armstrong on behalf of Office of Representative George Holding Elissa. Tew from Senator Burgin's Office Chandra Reed from Representative Lewis' Office David Capen from Representative Lewis' Office Commissioners and staff discussed in detail the following six Harnett County 2019-2020 Legislative Priorities: 1. Assist Harnett County in Expanding Broadband Access to Underserved Areas (State/Federal) Lack of access to high speed Broadband is a significant barrier to economic growth for a community, and limits educational opportunities and outcomes for residents. We ask for assistance in developing infrastructure and providing broadband to underserved areas within the county, through either legislation or funding. The County is currently completing a Broadband Survey of residents' current and desired level of Broadband access to share with providers in hopes of attracting them to expand service. February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 4 of 7p 2. Address Disparities Related to Impact Aid Funding for Military -Connected Students (Federal) Due to the way Counties are currently funded for military -connected students, Harnett County receives considerably less in federal funding per student than do surrounding counties. We believe that the funding provided for military -connected students should be the same, regardless of where they attend school, and we seek additional funding to support the education of these students and reduce the burden on the County's taxpayers. 3. Support County Efforts to Expand Natural Gas Capacity (State) Access to natural gas is a basic requirement for many industries and businesses looking for sites to locate new facilities. Despite population growth in portions of Harnett County, a lack of access to natural gas has prevented the commercial and industrial growth that would normally accompany this growth. We ask for assistance in identifying ways to expand natural gas capacity throughout the county through public-private partnerships. 4. Allow Counties to Enact Impact Fees to Support Public Education (State) Harnett County is among the fastest growing counties in North Carolina, and with that growth comes additional demand for public services. The County's median home value in 2017 was $144,700, which does not generate enough tax revenue to pay for the services the home's occupants will need. At present, approximately 3,700 new homes are at some stage of development in Northwest Harnett County, which will create a significant burden on our school system. We request legislation that would allow the County to enact a fee on new development to assist in funding public education in the county. 5. Give School Systems Flexibility in Establishing their K-12 Calendars (State) Allowing flexibility in establishing their K-12 calendars would give school systems the ability to align the K-12 calendar with local community colleges, which would allow for more opportunities for high school students to take advantage of opportunities for higher education. The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted last year to provide free tuition for high school students in Harnett County who meet certain requirements to attend Central Carolina Community College. 6. Grant County Boards of Commissioners the Ability to Construct Schools (State) The Harnett County Board of Commissioners asks for the authority to construct schools, to allow the County strategically plan for growth and to reduce existing and future issues with school overcrowding. Additional priorities provided include: Authorize Use of Recreation Fees for Construction (State) Assist Harnett County in Funding its Veterans Treatment Court Program (State/Federal) Assist Counties with Efforts to Install Additional Gauges on Rivers and Waterways (State) Assist Counties in the Cleanup of Rivers and Waterways (State) Assist Counties with Storm Mitigation Planning and Implementation (State/Federal) Provide Funding to Help Counties Implement School Security Measures (State/Federal) February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 5 of 4 Support the County's efforts to Enhance the Harnett Regional Jetport (State) Support County's Efforts to Correct Boundary Issues (State) Address Issues with Motor Vehicle Gap Billing (State) Continue Support of Construction of Four Lane Highway into Wake County (State) Lower NCDOT Road Takeover Threshold to 75 percent Buildout (State) Allow Counties to use E-911 Funds for E-911 Needs Other than Equipment (State) Preserve Funding for Local Health Departments (State) Restore State Aid Funding of Public Libraries to Pre -2011 Levels (State) Provide Local Governments with Liaison for Utilities Providers (State) Reinstate Funding for Drug Treatment Courts and Mental Health Courts (State) Legislators responded and discussions continued. Vice Chairman Penny moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:45 pm. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 6of; E ra z JOHNSON PROPERTIES REALTORS 2 ƒ \ 2 m U k / I Adjustment Reason 0000027766-2018-2018-0000-00 Listed In Error 5. Keith Faulkner Tax Administrator ATTACHMENT 2 Harnett COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA RESOLUTION BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMNIISSIONERS TO SELL REAL PROPERTY www.harnett.org THAT WHEREAS, Harnett County is the owner of a 1.8 acre real property tract located off Dove Road in the Johnsonville Township of Harnett County; this tract was conveyed to Harnett County in that Deed recorded in Book 734, Page 743, Harnett County Registry with Parcel ID No. 0995469000; and WHEREAS, Everette E. Smith has made an offer to Harnett County to purchase said 1.8 acre real property tract for the purchase price of $6,000.00 pursuant to the negotiated offer, advertisement and upset bid procedure set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269; that the Harnett County Board of Commissioners has considered this offer and said Board desires through this Resolution to propose to accept the Smith offer on the condition that Smith pay a 5% deposit ($300.00) and that the further requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 are met. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Harnett County Board of Commissioners pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 does hereby propose to accept the offer by Everette E. Smith of $6,000.00 to purchase that 1.8 acre real property tract upon his deposit of 5% of the offered price ($300.00) and subject to any upset bids received after publication of the Smith offer pursuant to the aforementioned statute. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County legal staff will insure the compliance with the sale provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 and will provide to the Board a proposed Special Warranty Deed at such time that a final bid has been received and accepted for said real property. Adopted this the 4th day of February, 2019. ATTEST: HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By: 1, Gordon Spangle ¢'haiia?r'-- argarRe: na Weler Clerk t'. the Board strong roots • new growth