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HomeMy WebLinkAbout102924 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session October 29, 2024 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 9:00 am, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: William Morris, Chairman W. Brooks Matthews, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Lewis W. Weatherspoon, Commissioner Matthew B. Nicol, Commissioner Staff present: Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Brent Trout, County Manager Jaime Bell-Raig, Deputy Clerk Chairman Morris called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation. The following agenda was before the Board of Commissioners: 1. Call to order — Chairman William Morris 2. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation — Commissioner Barbara McKoy 3. Discuss a request to approve an agreement with Southeastern Aero, LLC to operate a Special Aviation Service Organization (SASO) to provide maintenance activities at Harnett Regional Jetport; Greg Frank, Harnett Regional Jetport Director 4. Discuss a request to renew the hangar lease agreement with Global Medical Response - Med Trans Corp for an additional three years; Greg Frank, Harnett Regional Jetport Director 5. Economic Development Quarterly Update; Stephen Barrington, Economic Development Director 6. Discuss a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with I-95 / I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance; Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney 7. Discuss a request to approve a Resolution to Expend Opioid Settlement Funds; Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney 8. Financial Quarterly Update; Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer 9. Discuss a request to approve an offer to purchase agreement with ABJ Investments, LLC to purchase land for a buffer for the Wastewater Treatment Plant; Steve Ward, Harnett Regional Water Director and Brent Trout, County Manager 10. Discuss and review the proposed 2025 Schedule of Meetings for the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes October 29, 2024 Page 1 of 4 11. Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees. 12. Discuss forming a committee for the 175th Anniversary of Harnett County; Chairman Morris 13. County Manager's Report — Brent Trout, County Manager • Discuss a request to refund an overpayment of excise tax. • Performance Management Quarterly Report • November 4, 2024 Regular Meeting Agenda Review • Upcoming meetings and invitations 14. Closed Session 15. Adjourn Greg Frank, Harnett Regional Jetport Director, made a request to approve an agreement with Southeastern Aero, LLC to operate a Special Aviation Service Organization to provide maintenance activities at Harnett Regional Jetport. Chairman Morris questioned the termination language within the contract and whether the owner of the company was operating as the manager of the Rocky Mount airport. Mr. Frank responded in the affirmative. Consensus of the Board was to remove this item from the agenda until there is further discussion regarding the termination language with the operator and give the advisory board an opportunity to review the proposed contract. Greg Frank, Harnett Regional Jetport Director, made a request to renew the hangar lease agreement with Global Medication Response — MedTrans. MedTrans occupies the helipad at Betsy Johnson and provides rapid air ambulance support to Harnett County and region. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the consent agenda. Stephen Barrington, Economic Development Director, presented the Economic Development Quarterly Update. Mr. Barrington referred to the quarterly report which includes information regarding 18 active projects. The volume correlates with our inventory. Over the last year, we have been able to increase inventory which includes six buildings, seven sites and five ready sites. Mr. Barrington notes having ready sites drives our ability to submit RFI's that we have received. Over the last quarter we have received 33 RFI's and responded to 14 RFI's. We had four direct visits from different companies over the last quarter. Mr. Barrington thanked the Commissioners for their investment as it relates to the I95/I40 Crossroads Alliance Partnership. Samet is looking to start construction of its first building, a 160,000 square foot space, in January with expected completion in one year. There is a company assisting in marketing the property. Mr. Barrington mentioned three significant partners, which include NC Carolina Core, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, and Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. He noted industry trends, target markets, and competitor markets. Elizabeth Edwards presented information regarding the quarterly newsletter and the subscriber tracking information. She mentioned the newly -redesigned website and website enhancements. She states that sharing Harnett County's story using methods including press releases and blogs will provide information to citizens about what is happening in the County. She provided data regarding broadcast media and the publicity value. She updated the Board about upcoming marketing materials, targeted marketing campaigns, and the Economic Development Marketing video. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes October 29, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner McKoy complimented Mr. Barrington and noted that she sees we are moving in the right direction. She inquired about job training and establishing a readymade job force in Harnett County. Mr. Barrington stated Economic Development works closely with Coastal Carolina Community College and other partners regarding customized industry training needs. Chris Appel, Senior Staff Attorney, made a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance. There was a purchase of 65+ acres of property to establish an industrial park a little over 13 acres bought by Samet and the remaining 50+ acres was purchased by the county. As part of the partnership, the Alliance has agreed to fund 50% of the purchase price of the property along with closing costs. The Memorandum of Understanding lays out their commitment to provide the funding and the payment structure. The Alliance is going to give the County approximately $1.4 million dollars and upon the sale of the additional property, the Alliance will be reimbursed first. There is an option to purchase agreement with Samet that would allow them to purchase the remaining 50 acres within the next eight years. If the market was not successful, the County would not be obligated to pay back alliance's portion if they fall short on the net proceeds. If property was donated the funding would have to be paid back to the Alliance. In return, the I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance will work individually or collectively to market the property. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the consent agenda. Chris Appel, Senior Staff Attorney, made two funding requests to approve resolutions expending Opioid settlement funds. The first for Recovery Alive housing is a funding request from Recovery Alive Inc., a non-profit agency, that operates three homes in Johnston County. These homes are recovery homes that houses six individuals who live in the homes full time, pay rent, and must be in a recovery program. The request is one time funding of up to $20,000 to establish a home in Harnett County and $15,000.00 for a part-time peer support worker to help set up and run the home. This person will live in the home. If approved, Recovery Alive would look for a home and the County would have final approval of the home. If the home is located in different municipalities there would be discussion with those municipalities. The need is for a woman's house is prevalent. The Opioid Task Force has approved this request. Commissioner McKoy asked if the funding was one time funding, which was confirmed, and Mr. Appel noted that Recovery Alive homes are self-sustaining. Commissioner McKoy stated she sees this as a great thing and thanked Mr. Appel for the work with the task force. The second request comes from North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition to consider an allocation to fund harm reduction outreach staff. The staff would work with the Community Paramedics and would provide Naloxone education distribution, overdose prevention, and peer support. This individual would go into the community and assist those most at risk. The agreement requires a three-year commitment with the first year being paid by Alliance Health and the Opioid Settlement funds being allocated for the remaining two years' salary. The fund request $115,231.60 annually. Commissioner McKoy inquired what would happen with funding beyond the three-year commitment. Mr. Appel stated that the settlement dollars will end at some point, but this request does not take up a large portion of the funding. After three -years we will revisit and analyze the data to determine whether the program will continue. Consensus of the Board was to place these items as separate items on the next board meeting. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes October 29, 2024 Page 3 of 4 Kimbely Honeycutt, Finance Officer, provided a quarterly update. Ms. Honeycutt stated some of the highlights she wanted to make was a collection of the ad valorem and sales tax were the largest revenue generating sources in the general funds. Collections are up twenty-nine percent. The collection rate in 2023 stood at 99.43% and she does not have the current collection rate for 2024 because they are currently in the audit process. She noted she will come back and provide an official representation of our financial with the auditors. Our cash reserves are up from the prior year and what that represents is our interest income. Our interest income in 2024 was $13.8 million compared to 2023 which was $6.5 million, which does not include project interest income, Opioid funds, and ARPA funds. This has allowed the County to replace capital, fund much needed programming, and recover from the pandemic. Public Utilities' cash was up from 2023, and the facility fees represent about 92% of their revenue. Solid Waste's cash was up from 2023, and the fees represent about 94% of their revenue. Commissioner McKoy expressed her appreciation for Ms. Honeycutt's work. Steve Ward, Harnett Regional Water Director, made a request to approve an offer to purchase agreement with ABJ Investments, LLC to purchase land for a buffer for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The purchase of this property will prevent development encroachment. The property is over eleven acres for the purchase price of $350,000.00. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the consent agenda. Brent Trout, County Manager, made a request to approve the proposed 2025 Schedule of Meetings for the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Trout noted that there are a few dates that have been moved from their regular days due to holidays. Mr. Trout also requested that the Board meet on December 10, 2024, for the strategic planning retreat in preparation for the January Legislative Luncheon. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the consent agenda. The Board reviewed the Boards and Committees, which requested the removal of Pamela Williams from the Home and Community Care Block Grant Committee due to inactivity. Consensus of the Board was to add this to the consent agenda. Chairman Morris discussed forming a committee for the 175`h Anniversary of Harnett County. He discussed appointing one member from each district. Consensus of the Board was to form the committee. The Board will reconvene next month to discuss potential members and appointments. Mr. Trout discussed a letter to refund an overpayment of excise tax. He noted that a hearing would be required. Consensus of the Board was to add it to the November 4, 2024 Board meeting. Mr. Trout also provided a status update of the Key Strategic Actions related to the Strategic Plan. As of June 30, 2024, 6% are pending action, 46% are in -process, and 48% are completed. As of September 30, 2024, 24% are pending action, 64% are in -process, and 12% are completed. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes October 29, 2024 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Weatherspoon made a motion to go into Closed Session for the following purpose: consultation with and instructions to the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in negotiating proposed contracts for the acquisition of real property. This motion is made pursuant to NC General Statute Section 143-318.11 (a)(5). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nicol and carried unanimously. Following a motion to come out of Closed Session, Chairman Morris called the meeting back into open session. Commissioner Nicol made a motion to adjourn the Board of Commissioners at 10:19 am. Commissioner Weatherspoon seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. William Morris, Chairman Jaime ell-Raig, Deputy Clerk Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes October 29, 2024 Page 5 of 4