Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout112525 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session November 25, 2025 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 9:00 am, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman William Morris, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Duncan "Eddie" Jaggers, Commissioner W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner Staff present: Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney Brent Trout, County Manager Melissa Capps, Clerk Chairman Nicol called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Jaggers led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation. Amy Noel, Assistant Veterans Services Director, presented information regarding the new Harnett County Heroes Remembrance recognition. We are recognizing and honoring veterans that appear on our Wall of Heroes. These individuals have received awards for acts of individual heroism, not as a unit. Ms. Noel read Warrant Officer One (WOI) Robert A. Hinsley's citation. Chairman Nicol presented Mr. Hinsley with a certificate. Chairman Nicol called for any additions or deletions to the published agenda. Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to approve the agenda as published. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Morris and carried unanimously. The following agenda was before the Board of Commissioners: 1. Call to order — Chairman Matthew B. Nicol 2. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation — Commissioner Duncan "Eddie "Daggers 3. Harnett County Heroes Remembrance Presentation 4. Consider any additions and/or deletions to the published agenda. 5. Harnett County Greenway Feasibility Studies Presentation; Carl Davis, Parks and Recreation Director and Alta Planning + Design 6. Economic Development Quarterly Update; Stephen Barrington, Economic Development Director Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 1 of 4 7. Discuss a request for approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Homeland Security Investigations; Gary McNeill, Major, Sheriff's Office 8. Discuss a request for approval to enter into an agreement with Cornerstone Detention Products to upgrade the video surveillance system for the Detention Center and Sheriffs Office; Gary McNeill, Major, Sheriff's Office 9. Discuss a request for approval to extend the contract with Pay Tel Communications for three years ending December 3, 2029; Gary McNeill, Major, Sheriff's Office 10. Discuss a request for approval to surplus weapons; Gary McNeill, Major, Sheriff's Office 11. Discuss a request for permission to accept a commemorative bench and plaque donation honoring Paul Green; Kimberly VanBeck; Library Director 12. Discuss a request to apply for and accept if awarded the State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) Continuing Education Scholarship Grant in the amount of $2,500; Kimberly YanBeck, Library Director 13. Review applications for Boards and Committees. 14. County Manager's Report — Brent Trout, County Manager • December 1, 2025 Regular Meeting Agenda Review • Upcoming meetings and invitations 15. Closed Session 16. Adjourn Carl Davis, Parks and Recreation Director introduced Steve Bzomowski, Project Manager with Alta Planning +Design presented information on the Harnett County Greenway Feasibility Study for trail connectivity between Lillington, Campbell University, Coats, and the Dunn -Erwin Rail Trail. The Study assessed the feasibility of alternative routes within these corridors, identified preferred routes, and defines specific next steps for future phases of greenway development. Mr. Davis reviewed a request for adoption of the Greenway Feasibility Study to aid in future funding opportunities and guide County staff with future greenway trail design and construction. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Stephen Barrington, Economic Development Director, presented the Economic Development Quarterly Update. Gary McNeill, Major for the Sheriffs Office, reviewed a request for approval to enter into a MOU with Homeland Security Investigations. The Agreement establishes the responsibilities of both parties and the procedures for the reimbursement of certain overtime expenses and other law enforcement pursuant to 31 USC 9705 (31 USC 9705 deals the Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund). Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Major McNeill also reviewed a request for approval to enter into an agreement with Cornerstone Detention Products to upgrade our present video surveillance system for the Detention Center Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 2 of 4 and Sheriffs Office and approve the associated budget amendment. The upgrade will include but not limited to increasing the amount of digital recording that is stored, adding additional cameras and upgrading the operating systems. This will be a "Sole Source" purchase based on Cornerstone, which is the service provider for the Video Surveillance system and this system communications with other systems within the Detention Center that is also maintained by Cornerstone. This project is one of the items on the Sheriffs Office CIP projects. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Major McNeill also reviewed a request for approval to extend the contract with Pay Tel Communications for three years ending December 3, 2029. Pay Tel provides phone services for inmates in the Detention Center and other services that enhances the Sheriffs Office ability to monitor the activities of inmates. Pay Tel extension will allow access to their WIFI system to Guard 1 at no cost. Guard 1 is a new system that records time and location of staff making cell checks. Pay Tel Communication has been a partner with the Harnett County Sheriffs Office for over twenty-five years. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Major McNeill also reviewed a request for approval to surplus certain weapons. A list of these weapons was provided to the Board. These weapons have been replaced because of upgrades due to technological advancements, safety concerns with existing models, or a regular replacement cycle, which can be anywhere from 5 to 10 years. If approved, the Sheriffs Office will solicit bids from a minimum of three approved gun dealers. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Kimberly VanBeck, Library Director reviewed a request for permission to accept a commemorative bench and plaque donation honoring Paul Green. The bench and accompanying plaque will be donated by The Paul Green Foundation and will be installed on the front porch of the Harnett County Public Library near the Main Library Entrance. Paul Green was a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, author, and educator from North Carolina best known for his connection to social issues, southern culture, and human condition with ties to Harnett County. The library currently displays a bust of Paul Green and houses the Paul Green Collection in our local history room. All costs for the bench and plaque will be covered by the donor. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. Ms. VanBeck also reviewed a request for permission to apply for and accept if awarded the State Library of North Carolina Continuing Education Scholarship Grant in the amount of $2,500. This grant would be used to send a Librarian to the American Library Association's annual conference. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda for approval. The Board reviewed applications to serve on various Board and Committees. Consensus of the Board was to accept the resignation of Laura Barney from the Harnett County Commission on Women and Youth, accept the resignation of Kandi Tudor from the Board of Health, appoint Betty Gwen Johnson Goodwin as the public member to the Board of Health, reappoint Cindy Delgado as County Commissioner Appointee on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 3 of 4 appoint Katasha Tew to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Applications for the First Responder's Advisory Board was deferred until next week. Brent Trout, County Manager, recognized Christine Wallace, Tax Administrator who recently received an award as the North Carolina Assessor of the Year from the North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers. We are very proud of Christine and the work that she's doing in the department and it was great to have it recognized by her peers. Congratulations Christine. Commissioner McKoy stated we are proud of you. Commissioner Matthews stated as I understand it is the first time Harnett County has been honored with someone winning an award such as this. Mr. Trout stated yes, this is the first time that an assessor from that department has been recognized statewide. Mr. Trout also shared the countywide survey citizen survey is live at hamettcountysurvey.org. Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to go into Closed Session for the following purpose to instruct county staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in negotiating the price and other material terms of contract for the acquisition of real property. The motion is made pursuant to NC General Statute Section 143-318.11 (a)(5). The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Morris and carried unanimously. Following a motion to come out of Closed Session, Chairman Nicol called the meeting back into open session. Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to adjourn the Board of Commissioners at 10:00 am. Commissioner Matthews seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman Melissh-Capps, Clerk ' ' Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 4 of 4