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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-25 - RegularDunn City Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2025 6:30 p.m., Dunn Municipal Building Minutes PRESENT: Mayor William P. Elmore Jr., Mayor Pro Tem April Gaulden, Council Members J. Wesley Sills, Raquel McNeil, Billy N. Tart, Alan Hargis, and Dr. David L. Bradham. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Justin Hembree, Assistant City Manager Billy R. Godwin, Interim Police Chief Nick Simmons, Captain Matt Smith, Captain Jonathan Butler, Parks and Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Collections and Distribution Manager Billy Cottle, Water Plant Manager Ian Stroud, Code Enforcement Officer Stephen Hodges, Code Enforcement Officer- Cindy Rodriguez, Administrative Support Specialist Christy Sweeney, City Attorney Tilghman Pope and City Clerk Melissa Matti. CERTIFICATION OF A QUORUM & CALL TO ORDER Mayor William P. Elmore, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Dunn City Council Chambers. He noted there were technical difficulties with the camera for those watching online, but that the audio was working properly. He asked attendees to silence their cell phones for the meeting. INVOCATION Reverend Roy Johnson led the invocation. Mayor Elmore introduced Reverend Johnson, noting his service as pastor for the Dunn Police Department and as a chaplain at the Betsy Johnson hospital for many years. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Alan Hargis led the Pledge(of Allegiance. CONSIDERATION & APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Council Member Bradham, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden to. approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS Proclamation. Recognition of Parham H. McNeil, Jr. Co -Founder National Harnett High School Alumni Association, Inca City Manager Hembree read a proclamation recognizing Parham H. McNeil, Jr. as Co -Founder of the National Harnett High School Alumni Association. The proclamation acknowledged Mr. McNeil as a 1962 graduate who, along with Co -Founder Charles Herring, envisioned an organization to preserve the history and legacy of Harnett High School. The proclamation noted that -the association has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to deserving students from Dunn and, Harnett County. The -proclamation was dated November 28, 2025, when Mr. McNeil will be honored at the association's 54th annual reunion. A copy of Proclamation in Recognition of Parham H. McNeil, Jr. (P2025-07) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #1.) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Elmore noted that no one had signed up to speak during the Public Comment Period. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda included one (1) item: • Approval of October 28, 2025 Regular Minutes Motion by Council Member Sills, seconded by Mayor. Pro Tem Gaulden to approve the October 28, 2025 Regular minutes. Motion carried unanimously. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION Rezoning Application - CZ-25-05 PIN-1516-57-9261.000 119 Lucknow Square Public Hearing., Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m. on Rezoning Application CZ-25-05 -119 Lucknow Square. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:40 P.M. Interim Planning Director Deaton presented the Rezoning Application for 119 Lucknow Square (Brent Adams office) to change zoning from C-1 to C-3. He noted that the Planning Board unanimously approved this change, and it matched the .Downtown Land Use Plan. Mr. Deaton explained that everything along Cumberland Street from the railroad track to South Fayetteville Street is already C-3, making this rezoning consistent with surrounding properties. He clarified that while the property use would not change, the rezoning would allow for different signage at the location, similar to the LED signs across the street at Dunn Fire Emergency Services and Tourism. Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden recused herself due to'the applicant being her employer. No citizens spoke -for or against the rezoning. Decision: Motion by Council Member Hargis, seconded by Council Member Bradham to approve Rezoning Application CZ-25-05 - 119 Lucknow Square, PIN# 1516-57-9261.000, from C-1 to C-3. Motion carried unanimously. Council Member Hargis expressed frustration with the process, suggesting that a Text Amendment should be considered to make it easier for businesses to install certain types of signs in C-1 Districts. Mr. Deaton agreed to investigate a potential Text Amendment that would make such signs available in Commercial Districts without requiring rezoning. Ordinance Amendment OA-25-02 Period to Subsequent Application Public Hearing: Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing at 7:40 p.m. on Ordinance Amendment OA-25-02. Mr. Deaton explained that recent State Legislation (House Bill 926) prohibited waiting periods for re -filing Development Applications. He stated that Section 309, Section B7 of the City's Ordinance, currently had a six-- month waiting period, which needed to be removed to comply with the new State law. The Amendment would strike this waiting period completely. Council Member Hargis expressed concern that without awaiting period, the same applications could be repeatedly submitted after denial, though applicants would still need to pay fees for re -application each time. No citizens spoke for or against the Ordinance Amendment. Decision: I- . Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden, seconded by Council Member McNeil to approve OA-25-02. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of Ordinance Amendment OA-25-02 (02025-24) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment#2) Ordinance to Extend Corporate City Limits ANX 06-25 E. Johnson Street PINs 151.6-98-9355.000, 1526-07-6565.000, a portion of 1526-17-0584.000, and 1526-07-3272.000 (Step #3) Public Hearing Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing on the Ordinance to Extend Corporate City Limits. City Manager Hembree explained that this was the third and final step in a Voluntary Annexation process for approximately 40.663 acres of land south of East Johnston Street and. East Wake Street. He provided background on the process, noting that the Resolution Directing the Clerk to Investigate the Sufficiency of the Annexation was adopted on August 26, the Clerk certified the sufficiency, and the Public Hearing was reset from September 23rd to,November 18tn. No citizens spoke for or against the annexation. Decision Motion by Council Member Bradham; seconded by Council Member. Hargis to adopt Ordinance to Extend the Corporate Limits of the City of Dunn as presented and to assign to Ward 3. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of Ordinance to Extend the Corporate Limits of the City of Dunn (02025-25) is -incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #3. Voluntary Annexation Petition ANX-07-25 Vann Lane PINs 1517-37-0736.000,1517-37-9653.000, 1517-47-0665.000 (Step #1) City Manager Hembree explained that this item represented step one of a three -step Voluntary Annexation process. He stated that the board was being asked to consider a Resolution Directing the Clerk to Investigate the Sufficiency of a Voluntary Annexation Petition (ANX-07-25) for property owned by Barefoot Land and Rental Investments, LLC: The property consists of three (3) parcels located at or near 611 Vann Lane and 396 Vann Lane. He emphasized that this step did not annex the property but only` directed the Clerk to verify that the City could legally proceed with the annexation. Motion by Council Member Sills, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden to adopt the Resolution Directing the City Clerk to Investigate the Voluntary Annexation Petition ANX-07-25 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of the Resolution Directing the City Clerk to Investigate the Voluntary Annexation Petition . (R2025-51) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #4. Board Appointment Dunn Area Tourism Authority Mayor Elmore recommended that Dr. David Bradham continue in- his position as the Council Representative for the Dunn Tourism Board Authority, noting that he is currently serving as Chairman and. doing an excellent job. Motion by Council Member Alan Hargis, seconded by Council Member Tart to appoint David Bradham as the Council Representative for the Dunn Tourism .Board Authority, Board of Directors, for term of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Motion carried unanimously. Council Member Hargis added a personal comment that he works with David on that board and that he does an outstanding job. 1 Award Bank Financing Pearsall Street Project Finance Director McNallan presented, information on bank financing for -the Pearsall Street Project, noting that the council had previously approved going out for bids on loan financing: He explained that requests for proposals were sent.to 7-8 local banks, with two responses received from United Community Bank and KS Bank. United Community Bank submitted the winning bid. Mr. McNallan noted that while he had previously contacted the Local Government Commission (LGC) and received confirmation that LGC approval was 'not needed for loans under $500,000 with payment.schedules under 5 years, bond counsel later advised that LGC approval might be required. He requested that if the council approved the financing, it be made contingent on obtaining any necessary LGC approvals. -He explained that the loan would be for just under $500,000, with a 59-month term, and payments would come from stormwater fees. Motion by Council Member Hargis, seconded by Council Member Bradham to accept the Loan Financing Proposal for United Community Bank -subject to getting the approval from the LGC if needed. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of the Resolution by the City of Dunn Agreeing to Proceed with a Loan from United Community Bank for the Construction of the Pearsall Street Bridge (R2025-52) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #5. Award Bank Financing 400 E Townsend Street House Purchase Finance Director McNallan requested that the Council take no action on this matter.'He explained that after further review with bond counsel and considering that the property is intended to be moved and sold, -the tax- exempt status on which the bid was based would not be available. He stated -that he would bring back a Budget Amendment at a future meeting to address funding the. purchase through other means, likely proceeds -from the eventual sale of the property. Award Bank Financing WWTP Maintenance Building Finance Director McNallan presented the financing proposal for the WWTP. Maintenance Building, noting it was. similar to the Pearsall Street project but would be funded over a 5-year period by the sewer fund. The loan would be for 59 months at 4% interest from United Community Bank. Motion by Council Member Sills, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden to accept the Loan Financing Proposal from United -Community Bank pending LGC approval, if needed. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of the Resolution by the City of Dunn Agreeing to proceed with a Loan from United. Community Bank for the Construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plan Maintenance Building (R2025-53) -is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #6. REPORTS & UPDATES City Manager's Report City Manager Justin Hembree provided updates on several projects: • Paving: He reported that the contractor for paving would -mobilize the first week in December. At minimum, three major streets (Tracy Lane, a portion of East Harnett, and a portion of East Godwin) -would be completely milled and repaved by December 15. • . Pearsall Street. The project is -very close to completion, with pavement being laid down that day_ . The contractor would soon be addressing punch list items. • Equipment; Public Works representative Billy Cottle presented information. about a newly acquired asphalt miller. He explained that the equipment allows the department to mill up asphalt into fines that can be reused as base material when making water taps, eliminating the need to haul off and dispose of old asphalt. Mr. Cottle expressed appreciation for the council's approval 'of this purchase, noting that it had already improved efficiency, allowing his team to complete four water taps in a single day on North Ellis. • Pickleball.Courts: Brian McNeil announced that the pickleball courts are now complete and officially open from dawn until 10 PM. He explained that a bollard is located outside the center of .the court that can be ,pressed to turn lights on for 50 minutes after sunset. The `facility; includes six pickleball courts with a waiting -rack system and appropriate -fencing. • Police Chief Recruitment; City Manager Hembree. distributed recruitment brochures for the Chief of Police position. The application period is open until December 15, after which candidates will be evaluated for an assessment center process expected to.begin in mid -January. Financial Report Finance Director Cary McNallan presented the financial report for the end of October: • Cash and investments: $6.2 million at the end of October compared to $10.3 million a year ago • East Side Pump Station construction account: $7 million • Approximately $1 million in grant reimbursements expected within the next week, with about $3 million still outstanding • General property tax collections for October: $220,000 (compared to $255,000 last October) • Year-to-date property tax collections: $1.3 million • Sales Tax for August: $328,000 (up $43,000 from the previous year) • Building Permits for October: $15,500 (year-to-date: $81,000, about 44% of budget) Departmental Reports & Project Updates City Manager Hembree noted that following a question from a previous meeting about businesses with burned - out lights, staff discovered this falls under zoning enforcement rather than nuisance enforcement. He explained they are working to make code enforcement officers also zoning administrators to expand their enforcement capabilities. - Code Enforcement Officers Stephen Hodges and Cindy Rodriguez provided updates on their activities: • 11 active high grass cases (decreasing due to cooler weather) • 27 violations for junk/debris at roadside or in yards • 52 violations of junk vehicles • 10 new minimum housing cases • 6 violations for non-residential maintenance code, primarily addressing potholes in shopping center parking lots Mr. Hodges noted that they had successfully contacted the new owners of the shopping center containing Michael's and Planet Fitness, who had sent a team to patch holes in front of various businesses. The Council discussed concerns about Roses shopping center parking lot, particularly regarding restriping of parking spaces. Senior Center Manager Amanda Baker, accompanied by her assistant Evelyn Munns, reported on activities since taking the position in July: • Increased participation in programs including farmers market visits, jewelry making, cupcake making, salsa dancing, coffee and conversation, a senior kickback social, and a fish fry that sold out in 30 minutes • Recent trips to the fruitcake factory, aquarium, and state fair • Daily exercise programs and educational speakers Resumption of home -delivered meals program, now serving hot meals daily to 35 clients with 25-30 on a waiting list • Growth in congregate meals from 2 to 15 participants • Upcoming events including a "Friend sgiving" celebration and senior Christmas party on December 16 Council members expressed appreciation for the increased activity level at the Senior Center. Ms. Baker acknowledged the Parks and Recreation Department for allowing use of their vans for senior trips and indicated that having a dedicated van would be beneficial in the future. ANNOUNCEMENTS Upcoming Events Mayor Elmore announced: • City offices.will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, for Thanksgiving. • There will not be a Work Session in December. • The next Regular Session is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30 PM. • December 4th at 5:30 PM: Community input session for Chief of Police qualifications, to be held in the Council Chambers. • January 22nd: Community input session for Codrington Park at the Senior Center. Mayor Elmore provided an update on Economic Development, highlighting the City's involvement with the Crossroads of America Alliance. He noted that: • The Magnolia Training Center is nearly complete and expected -to open in early February. • The Dunn Area Committee of 100 will have a presence in the building. 0 The Alliance and Harnett County are building a spec building near Alphin Brothers. • A major Economic Development announcement was made that day in Benson, where Vulcan will invest $1 billion to manufacture rare earth magnets, creating 1,000 jobs with average salaries of $90,000 City Manager Hembree elaborated that the Vulcan project is significant for national security, as it will be the first U.S.-based manufacturer of rare earth magnets, breaking China's grip on the supply chain for materials used in military technology. He emphasized that while the facility will be in Benson, the economic impact will benefit the entire region, including Dunn, by increasing the attractiveness of local industrial properties. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss: Motion by Council Member Hargis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gaulden to adjourn to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned with several members wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. William P. Elmore, Jr. Ma A st$� ®� elissa R. Matti t! City Clerk tN} S`