072914ssmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
July 29, 2014
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, July 29, 2014,
in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Joe Miller, Chairman
Gary House, Vice Chairman
Jim Burgin, Commissioner
Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Tommy Burns, Harnett County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Jennifer Slusser, Senior Staff Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Hill led the pledge of
allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before commissioners:
1. Update on County Government Space Plan Study, Amanda Bader
2. Update on Spectra Energy Gas Line Project, Jennifer Slusser
3. Update on number of subdivision lots, Mark Locklear
4. County Manager's Report:
- Regular Meeting Agenda Review
5. Closed Session
County Engineer Amanda Bader introduced David Liberatore and Liz Kolepp-Mayer with BBH
Designs to share their findings of the County Government Space Plan Study. Ms. Mayer, who
referenced drawings previously shared with commissioners, reviewed information regarding
space needs for Probation Services, Administration, Planning & Inspections, Child Protection
and Support Services and Board of Elections. Options included:
1) Probation and Board of Elections — at existing Admin. Bldg.
2) Child Protection Services — at existing Commons
3) Child Protection Services — at existing Planning & Inspections
4) Admin and Planning & Inspections — in proposed new bldg adjacent to the
Courthouse (mirroring the Tax & Deeds bldg.)
5) Admin and Planning & Inspections — in proposed addition to DSS
July 29, 2014, Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mrs. Bader also mention space available above the Harnett County Public Utilities Offices but
said it had limited public access. Mrs. Bader said another very recent concept is the Board of
Education has programs that could fit into the Administration and Planning Buildings as well.
It was noted that the State pays partial rent for Child Protective Services which could possibly
help toward the cost of construction for new space. Commissioner Springle said he thought it
made more sense to add-on to the DSS building rather than to use the commons area meeting
room. Commissioner Hill said staff and citizens always need the commons area meeting room
for something. Mr. Burns reminded the Board that the County also has access to a large meeting
room at the CCCC Health Sciences Building.
Discussions continued regarding proposed options. Staff sought guidance from the Board
regarding their long-term vision. Commissioners asked the group to talk to DSS regarding their
space needs and ideas for expansion. Mr. Burns said the biggest need is getting Child Support
Services (17 employees) moved to Ellington. Mr. Liberatore said estimated costs are $200 to
$225 square foot to build, $40 per square foot for renovations and $75 per square foot for major
renovations. Mrs. Bader responded that the original architectural plan showed a new
Administration Building mirroring the DSS building at the Governmental Complex.
Jennifer Slusser updated the Board on the Spectra Energy Gas Line project. Ms. Slusser noted
the Board had previously received some information regarding this project however at this time
Spectra Energy is requesting consent by the County to perform survey activities on five parcels
owned by Harnett County within the initial study corridor being considered. Mrs. Slusser
stressed that the County was not committing to anything by allowing them on property to survey.
Mrs. Bader said if they stay to the east of the power lines the project would not aversively affect
landfill operations. Mrs. Slusser noted Spectra Energy is also looking at a parcel owned by
Harnett County that would affect the Dunn -Erwin Rail Trial so she has passed that on to the Rail
Trail Authority. The group continued to discuss this proposed project. It was the consensus of
the Board to add to the upcoming consent agenda permission for the County Manager to sign
authorization giving Spectra Energy Partners, LP consent to perform survey activities on the
County's property.
Mrs. Bader noted staff is looking at a cost estimate for renovating the old Boone Trail School
however it was unclear how the Board of Education estimated the cost of $7 Million to renovate
the old Shawtown School.
Mark Locklear, Director of Harnett County Planning Department, distributed a handout of the
best available data of Harnett County Available Lot Count as of July 2014 at 14,153. Mr.
Locklear also reported 4015 lots are currently in the final stages and ready to be built on. It was
noted that Carolina Lake was mistakenly listed twice in the list provided. Mr. Locklear said this
was a very detailed and difficult task for his staff and thanked the Tax Department for their
assistance with the large subdivisions. Discussions continued regarding potential available lots
as well as vested rights. He noted staff sought direction from NC SOG in dealing with
amortization and vested rights.
July 29, 2014, Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Burns reviewed the draft August 4, 2014 regular meeting agenda. He also made the Board
aware of arrangements worked out between Harnett County Public Utilities and the City of Dunn
regarding the Loves Travel Stop project. Loves Travel Stop will provide the City of Dunn with
funds to provide sewer to that property and staff will come back to the Board at a later date and
request permission to add the City of Dunn as a whole sale bulk customer so they can bill Loves
Truck Stop for water and sewer.
Commissioner Burgin asked if staff had looked at the performance contracting information
provided by Senator Rabin's Office. Mr. Burns responded he had talked with Superintendent
Frye regarding his meeting with Senator Rabin and someone who provided those types of
services however he understands that the Board of Education had just finished an energy
efficiency project of this nature working directly with Duke Energy.
Regarding the 1/4 cent sales tax allocated to the Board of Education as a capital appropriation in
the 2014/2015 budget, Mr. Burns noted staff had informed the Board of Education that they
would be required to submit capital expense invoices and the County would remit payment on a
quarterly basis. Commissioners also requested a financial statement from the Board of
Education.
Commissioner Hill moved that the Board go into closed session to consult with the County's
legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain
claims and legal actions including that case entitled, "Kent Jeffries, et al vs County of Harnett
and Drake Landing, LLC, et al" Harnett County File No. 11 CVS 1187. This motion is made
pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3). Mr. Burns asked that Mr. Locklear
be included in closed session in the absence of Deputy Director Joseph Jeffries. Vice Chairman
House seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Commissioner Springle shared his
concerns regarding closed session, asking if they are going to have the same issues as in the past
and commenting that it didn't seem to make any difference if they go into closed session or not.
Vice Chairman House moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Hill
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Springle moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 am. Commissioner Hill
seconded- motion which passed unanimously.
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July 29, 2014, Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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