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Home My WebLink About051121 wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session May 11, 2021 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library Building, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Due to COVID-19 this meeting was open to a limited number of the public to attend in person however, citizens and staff were also provided options to listen to the meeting live. Only County staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to speak on scheduled agenda items were in attendance, stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the recommended social distancing of six feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law and prudent public health practices. Members present: W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman Lewis W. Weatherspoon Vice Chairman Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner (Called in) Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Matt Nicol, Commissioner Staff present: Paula Stewart, County Manager Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk Chairman Matthews called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before the Board: ➢ Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation ➢ Discuss Proclamations, Christopher Appel ➢ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Update, Paula Stewart Redistricting After 2020 Census, Dwight Snow ➢ Project Ordinance for Northwest Harnett Elementary School Utility Extension Project Discussion, Steve Ward ➢ Discuss Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescues Request for the Construction of a New Fire Station at 4043 NC Hwy 210 N on Property Owned by the Organization, Larry Smith ➢ Discuss Angier Fire Department's Request for Approval for Expansion to Current Station, Larry Smith ➢ House Bill 508, Education Funding Transparency ➢ County Manager's Report: - May 17, 2021 Regular Meeting Agenda Review - Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees - Upcoming meetings and invitations ➢ Closed Session Harnett County Board of Commissioners May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting 1 of 4 ➢ FY 2022 Budget ➢ Adjourn Staff Attorney Christopher Appel stood before the Board to discuss the Proclamations honoring Public Safety Telecommunicators, Health Care Providers, and Volunteers in Harnett County during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mr. Appel asked if they would also like to include a Proclamation for EMS Worker. It was the consensus of the Board to include a Proclamation for EMS Workers as well. County Manager Paula Stewart came before the Board to give an update on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training. Mrs. Stewart said that together with an outside consultant and Kittrane Sanders, they developed an action plan based on the publics concerns and would like to train their own workforce on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mrs. Stewart informed the Board they had contracted with Dr. Kari -Claudia Allen and the first lecture will be held on June 16, 2021 and it will be mandatory for all county employees and it is an" Introduction to Race and Racial Reconciliation." This will then be followed by a survey by all of our employees and Dr. Allen will analyze the results and share what people have learned. In the late summer there will be another lecture called "Biased Racial Justice and Communities" followed by a "Cultural Immersion Session". Mrs. Stewart said it is the hope that these lectures will bring the necessary changes to people's behaviors. Extension Agent Kittrane Sanders approached the Board and talked about what the plans were for training in the County. County Attorney Dwight Snow stood before the Board to Discuss Redistricting After 2020 Census. Mr. Snow informed the Board of the possible engagement with the Law Firm of Tharrington Smith LLP to serve as joint legal counsel to the Harnett County Board of Commissioners and Harnett County Board of Education in connection with redistricting following the 2020 Census. Questions were asked by the Board and it was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular meeting. Harnett Regional Water Director Steve Ward approached the Board to speak on the Construction of the new Northwest Harnett Elementary School in getting utilities to the area of Rollins road. It will be funded by Harnett Regional Water reserves and the project will cost roughly 2.4 million dollars. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular meeting. Mr. Ward also discussed the proposal to use LKC Engineering, PLLC to provide the engineering work for this project and design and provide construction administration and observation for the Northwest Harnett Elementary School Extension Project. They are currently working with the school board on site design so it made sense to use the same firm since they are familiar with the territory and they can get the ground running once the contract is approved. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular meeting. Emergency Services Director Larry Smith came before the Board to discuss the Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue's request to construct a new fire station at 4043 NC Hwy 210 North on property owned by the organization. The Board of Directors of Summerville Bunnlevel Fire Harnett County Board of Commissioners May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting 2 of 4 and Rescue would like to proceed with the construction of a new 9,000 SF station at a cost of $1,150,000. The Board of Directors of Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue believe the new station will improve response times and effectiveness in their district. The Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue, Mr. Leo McDonald spoke in favor of the new construction. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda for the next regular meeting. Mr. Smith then spoke on Angier Fire Department's request for approval to expand the current station. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda for the next regular meeting. Chairman Matthews wanted to make the Board aware of House Bill 508 which is Education Funding Transparency. Chairman Matthews said from the School systems perspective this would interfere with the smooth process of funds. Vice Chairman Weatherspoon asked to have a letter sent to our legislative delegation and to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners opposing Senate Bill S406 and House Bill 508. It was the consensus of the Board to draft the letter. Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft May 17, 2021 regular meeting agenda. Vice Chairman Weatherspoon moved to go into closed session to 1.) Consultation with the County's Legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the following case: "IN RE: National Prescription Opiate Litigation", US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; MDL No. 2804; Case: 1: 1 7-md-02804; And 2.) To discuss certain personnel matters Commissioner Nicol seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Commissioners returned from closed session. Harnett County Emergency Services Director Larry Smith reviewed the following request for increases: o Benson Fire Department requested an increase of .02 cents o Godwin -Falcon Volunteer Fire Department requested an increase of .05 cents o Cypress Creek Fire Department requested an increase of .01 cents o Buies Creek EMS requested an increase of $11,963 o Coats Grove EMS requested an increase of $40,606 o Benhaven EMS requested an increase of $48,615 o City of Dunn EMS requested an increase of $276,810 General Services Director Barry Blevins came before the Board to discuss budget for the Harnett County Jetport. Below is the Harnett Regional Jetport Budget Summary: o Salary/Wages & Fringes $208,326 Harnett County Board of Commissioners May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting 3 of 4 o Operation Expenditures $74,272 o Budget Total = $282,598 o County Manager Proposed $185,000 o Needed over Proposed $97,598 Questions were asked by the Board and discussions were continued. Mrs. Stewart spoke to the Board about the nonprofit committee and the requests that were made by them. Chairman Matthews would like to discuss this further at the next work session. Questions were asked by the Board and Discussions were continued. Budget Officer Renee Paschal and Budget Director Lisa McFadden came before the Board to discuss Harnett County School funding. Mrs. Paschal noted the recommendation is to hold the schools harmless and provide the same level of funding as well as provided in FY 21 and to hold the schools harmless for the loss of library money and for the reduction in the number of Harnett County School students who don't share capital outlay with charter students. Vice Chairman Weatherspoon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:54 am. Commissioner Nicol seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 4ksatt ew4s, Chairmnan Wo• Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk Harnett County Board of Commissioners May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting 4 of 4