11172011SP176
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Special Call Meeting on Thursday, November 17, 2011,
at 4:00 p.m. in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present was Mayor Oscar N. Harris, Mayor Pro Tern
N. Carnell Robinson, Council Members Bryan Galbreath, Billy Tart, Chuck Turnage and Joey Tart.
Also present was City Manager Ronnie Autry, Assistant City Manager Steven Neuschafer, Public
Works Director Billy Addison, Public Utilities Director Dean Gaster, Finance Director Mark
Stephens, Chief Building Inspector Mike Blackmon, Police Chief B.P. Jones, City Engineer Michael
Goliber, City Clerk Debra West, and Daily Record Reporter Brian Haney.
Absent: City Attorney P. Tilghman Pope.
INVOCATION
Mayor Harris opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked Council Member Joey Tart to give the invocation.
Afterwards, the Pledge of Allegiance was repeated.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVAL
Motion by Mayor Pro Tom Robinson and seconded by Council Member Maness to adopt the November 17,
2011 meeting agenda with changes, if any, as listed below.
Items Added to the Agenda:
• none
Agenda Items Removed:
• none
Motion unanimously approved.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONAND /OR DECISION
Consider a Capital Project Ordinance for
I -95 Corridor Sewer System Improvements for
Love's Travel Stop
Manager Autry provided a brief history about the development of this project. In March, 2009 he was
—' approached by Pilot Track Stop at I -95 Exit 77 about a major wastewater issue whereby they had to pump
and haul their septic system weekly. At that time Pilot inquired if the City would be a partner in making
sewer available to them for future growth; however, this project came to a stand -still when Pilot sold their
property.
Mr. Autry explained that in April of 2010, he was contacted by the new owner, Love's Travel Stop, after
they were made aware of the wastewater issue and Harnett County would not issue them a new permit to
open in their name. After discussions with Love's, the City looked at the possibility of running sewer to
the Track Stop and found the best route would be to install a line along the service road from Exit 75 to
Exit 77; however, this route would prove too costly. Around that same time, there was a project being
proposed for the property across from Love's and the City and the County discussed the possibility of
partnering together to provide sewer for both Love's and the new development; however, when the new
development was put on hold, the County decided not to invest money at that time. Afterwards, Love's
approached the City about installing a system when the County granted an extension to them. Love's has
offered to invest $900,000 to $1M toward the cost to install this line. This project could benefit the City in
the future and it opens up the I -95 Corridor at Exits 75 and 77 for the City to provide this service.
Mr. Autry stated that he requested Davis - Martin- Powell & Associates provide him with the most feasible
proposal which will benefit the City in the future while staying within the guidelines of what NCDOT will
allow with the future widening of I -95. He added that the design was limited because it would be too
costly to purchase right -of -way along the service road from NCDOT.
City Engineer Michael Goliber provided a summary of the feasibility of this project:
• The City looked at options to serve Exit 75 & 77 Interchanges. Cost estimates to install the
full system was approximately $5M.
• The main issue is to serve Love's Travel Stop immediately with their failing septic system
while putting in an economical and viable line to help the City of Dunn provide for potential
development at both Interchanges.
• Reasonable solution to install a pump station at the base of Western Star property in exchange
for sewer service to the property owner.
• Pump station would be either submersible or shallow and would provide an opportunity for
other properties to pump over to the station.
• The industrial economic development project is located to the northeast of Exit 77
Interchange which will open up this area to sewer by having the pump station just across
Hodges Chapel Road.
• Service roads are not an option to use since NCDOT will not allow these improvements so
they are looking at going across two (2) private property owners to the right -of -way on Weeks
Road.
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The route would follow Weeks Road - to Lee Road - to Lane Road - to Jonesboro Road where
a gravity sewer extension would come from the existing sewer on Cooper Street at Carolina
Drive. This gravity main would help to open up Exit 75 to assist Sadler's Truck Stop with
future economic development projects.
Total budget cost is approximately $1.5M. $1M would come from Love's, $70,000 would
come from a Rural Center Grant and the remaining $500,000 paid by the City of Dunn.
The Council discussed the pros and cons of installing a 6" force main instead of a 4" and discussion was
held about the rural route of the proposed line, the capability of taps being made off a 4" or 6" line, the
additional cost to install a 6" line instead of a 4" line to accommodate future growth, issues with chemical
erosion in a 6" line with the projected low water usage, capacity to expand the system, high maintenance
cost of a 6" force main line instead of a 4" line.
Public Utilities Director Dean Gaster stated that it does make sense to put a larger line in for future growth
but they are guarding against chemical erosion. When sewer sits in a line or pump station for days,
hydrogen sulfide production takes place which eats away at concrete and metal and will literally destroy the
system they propose to put in because there will not be enough water flowing through it daily. If they knew
a wet industry would be coming in, then a 6" line would make more sense but the possibility of getting a
wet industry these days is not very positive. There is the potential to spend $10,000 annually for
maintenance to guard against erosion in a 6" line. The 4" line makes more sense knowing what they will
have in the system initially.
Council Member Maness stated that with this one -time opportunity to finance two- thirds of this project,
and if they are fortunate to have future development, then they should make sure they are thinking forward
to maximize this opportunity; $10,000 per year to deal with hydrogen sulfide isn't a lot when compared to
the scope of this project and what it can be for the next thirty years. He doesn't want to see them undersize
this line and wish later that a larger line was installed.
Finance Director Stephens stated that there is currently $2.6M in the Water /Sewer Fund available to
expend. There is adequate working capital.
Discussion was held about the water /sewer fund balance and about the only other capital project at this time
being the water line extension for Eastover Sanitary District and elevated water tank project.
Manager Autry stated that Love's is ready to enter into a contract with the City of Dunn. Should the
Council approve the project, City Attorney Pope will draft a contract.
Mr. Autry stated that residential property owners along Jonesboro Road from Cooper Street to Lane Road
could tap into this gravity sewer line.
Engineer Goliber suggested the possibility of considering an alternate bid for a 6" line when this project is
bid for cost comparison.
Mayor Pro Tern Robinson asked if the City has attempted to receive any funding from Southeastern
Economic Development Association (EDA). He stated that the County is a member and very few
municipalities apply for funding. Discussion was held for the City to pursue funding from Southeastern
EDA.
This project will be paid for with a contribution from Love's Travel Stop, grant from the Rural Center and
transfer from the Water /Sewer Fund.
Motion by Council Member Maness and seconded by Council Member Joey Tart to adopt the Capital
Project Ordinance for the "I -95 Corridor Sewer System Improvements" to include an additional bid for the
6" upgrade from the 4" for cost comparison purposes with potential to take action on same. Motion
unanimously approved. A copy of Capital Project Ordinance (02011 -13) for the `7 - -95 Corridor Sewer
System Improvements" is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #1.
Update — Downtown Revitalization Project
Mayor Harris asked Manager Autry for an update on the Downtown Revitalization Project. Mr. Autry
reported that Ray Johnson Construction has finished the fine grade cuts to ready the streets for asphalt. A
meeting will be held tomorrow to make a decision about the paving scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.
Reports of possible showers on Wednesday, November 23d concerns him. If fine grading is finished on
Monday, then traffic cannot travel on it. Progress Energy is proposing to come in on Sunday to start
pulling up old poles and begin installing new ones.
Consider Traffic Patterns
Through -out the City
Mayor Hams expressed his concern with faded, leaning and bent signs through -out the City. Public Works
Director Addison stated that these signs will be corrected once the Christmas decorations are up.
Manager Autry spoke about the 4 -way stop sign issue proposed by Council Member Galbreath on E.
Harnett Street and stated that criteria needs to be set so that all areas are evaluated equally. The Council
suggested a traffic count be put in place. This method has been used previously to determine if other
intersections in the City warranted a 4 -way stop.
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Council Member Galbreath asked Chief Jones for his observation about this situation. Chief Jones
responded that based on studies by the Institute of Traffic Engineers and Motor Vehicle law, you don't
change a traffic pattern unless there is an engineering problem, sight problem or obstruction because when
you change a traffic pattern, more accidents will occur.
Chief Jones stated that the houses in this area are very close to the street and it would be hard for the
average person that hasn't been trained in radar, to judge the speed of a car; the closer you are to the street,
the closer the car travels by and most people think it is traveling at a greater rate of speed than it actually is.
His recommendation was to leave it alone.
Discussion was held about establishing criteria and to check with other municipalities in determining when
an intersection warrants a 4 -way stop sign.
Other Issues
Manager Autry stated that a budget amendment will be presented at the December 13, 2011 Council
meeting for a mid -year bonus for City employees. Mayor Harris stated that this was discussed during the
budget work sessions and monies were placed in a contingency fund for this purpose.
Manager Autry stated that he sent an email to NCDOT about concerns that the Council has received from
the citizens regarding the proposed Round -a -Bout at Powell and Ashe Avenue and the associated costs.
NCDOT responded that although the initial equipment for a traffic light is cheaper, they must factor in
electrical costs indefinitely, turn lanes, and costs for obtaining right -of -way; when compared to the cost for
a Round -a -Bout for the life of the project, the difference in cost between a traffic light and Round -a -Bout is
not that significant.
Council Member Maness pointed out that since the lanes have been marked at the intersection of Powell
and Ashe, he has noticed a dramatic improvement in the traffic flow.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member Turnage and seconded by
Council Member Maness to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Motion unanimously approved.
Attest:
Debra G. West
City Clerk
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Oscar N. Harris
Mayor