Loading...
0202200695 MINUTES CITY OF DUNN DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present was Mayor J. Dal Snipes, Mayor Pro -Tem Donnie Olds, Council Members Buddy Maness, Bryan Galbreath, Billy Tart, Billy R. Godwin, Jr. and Joey Tart. Also present was City Manager Mike Uskiewiez, Asst. City Manager/Public Works Director Ronnie Autry, Human Resources /Safety Officer Moses Gallion, City Planner Steven Neuschafer, Recreation Director Perry Hudson, Police Chief Tim Benware, City Engineer Ed Powell, City Attorney P. Tilghman Pope, City Clerk Debra West, and Daily Record Reporter Lisa Farmer. INVOCATION Mayor Snipes opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked Council Member Maness to give the invocation. Afterwards the Webelos 1, Cub Scout Pack #719 of Westfield Baptist Church presented the colors and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Snipes opened the floor for a (30) minute public comment period. Hearing no comments, the public comment period was closed. Mayor Snipes closed the regular meeting and opened public hearings at 7:05 p.m. PUBLICHEARINGS PRELD41NARY ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION BRUCE DRIVE CURB AND GUTTER The public has been notified that oral and written comments will be heard and received with respect to any matter covered by the preliminary assessment resolution adopted by the Dunn City Council on January 5, 2006, for the proposed street improvement project along the east side of Bruce Drive running south from Erwin Road to the end of Bruce Drive and along the west side of Bruce Drive from Erwin Road south 566 feet. The City Clerk has certified that the preliminary resolution was mailed to owners of all property subject to assessment on January 13, 2006. The public hearing was duly advertised on January 19, 2006. Mayor Snipes asked if there was anyone present to speak for or against the Bruce Drive curb and gutter project. Mr. Frank Toth of 109 Bruce Drive spoke in favor of the curb and gutter project. He had a concern with residents at the end of the street speeding in the neighborhood and proposed that road humps be installed. He explained that a road hump is a long gradual hump that holds a vehicle's speed down to around 25 mph. Mr. Henry Monds of 127 Bruce Drive spoke in favor of the street improvement. He had a concern that 144' on the west side of Bruce Drive was not part of the improvement. He added that from this point to the end of the street is an eyesore. He stated that this particular strip of land cannot be developed and is full of dead trees. He questioned how the owners of this strip of land could be eliminated from this street improvement. Mayor Snipes asked if there was anyone else present to speak for or against this preliminary assessment resolution. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed. POLICE DEPARTMENT JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) APPLICATION The public has been notified that oral and written comments will be heard and received concerning the allocation of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds to the Dunn Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice. The public hearing was duly advertised on January 19, 2006. Mayor Snipes asked if there was anyone present to speak for or against this grant. Hearing none, motion by Mayor Pro Tom Olds, seconded by Council Member Galbreath to close the public hearings and reconvene the regular council meeting at 7:12 p.m. Motion unanimously approved. CONSENTITEMS Mayor Snipes asked if there were any consent items that Council wished to pull for further discussion. Hearing none, the following items were considered by Council: Minutes - Council considered approval of minutes of the January 5, 2006 Council meeting Tax Releases/Refunds- Council considered approval of Tax Releases/Refunds #86 - #96. Tax Releases /Refunds are filed in the office of the Tax Collector. Tax Liens Advertisement - Council considered approval for the Tax Collector to advertise tax liens on March 21, 2006 for outstanding 2005 taxes on real property. Proclamation- Council considered approval of a Proclamation recognizing the month of February as Black History Month. Mayor Pro Tem Olds read the Proclamation. A copy of Black History Month Proclamation (P2006 -03) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #L Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart to approve all consent items. Motion unanimously approved. ITEMS FOR DECISION CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DIRECTING THAT THE BRUCE DRIVE CURB & GUTTER PROJECT BE UNDERTAKEN Once the public hearing has been held to address any matters contained in the Preliminary Assessment Resolution, the governing body adopts an assessment resolution directing that the project be undertaken. This resolution describes the project in general terms together with a general description of the boundaries of the area benefited, percentage of the cost to be specially assessed and the terms of payment. Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Council Member Maness to adopt the Resolution Directing that the Bruce Drive Curb and Gutter Project be Undertaken. Council Member Tart stated that he would like to expand on the concerns that were mentioned during the public hearing held tonight. In addressing concerns raised by Mr. Monds during the public hearing, Council Member Godwin stated that originally the council was presented with the entire length of Bruce Drive to be improved but there was a question about whether or not the correct percentages were sufficient to meet the statutory requirements to assess the entire length of Bruce Drive. As a result, the entire length of Bruce Drive could not be improved because they did not have the consent of enough property owners owning the appropriate frontage. They decided to revisit the issue and bring back as much of the street frontage as they could for improvement. Council Member Galbreath asked that Public Works Director Ronnie Autry clarify how the project will take shape. Mr. Autry explained that as you enter Bruce Drive from Erwin Road, there is a twenty-foot wide strip of land located at the end of the Drive on the right side. This strip, owned by a gentleman from Fayetteville, is not buildable and has existed since the subdivision was developed. He stated that if the footage of this wooded strip was included in the project and the owner would not be willing to sign for the street improvement, then 51% of the footage criteria could not be met, thereby ending the curb and gutter project. To move the project forward, this section had to be left out to meet the 51% footage criteria and to proceed with the curb and gutter. Council Member Godwin asked Mr. Autry if it would be feasible to install speed humps on this Drive. Mr. Autry responded that he has received information from the cities of Monroe, Matthews and around the Charlotte area. The guidelines are very stringent and speed checks are monitored extensively. The City could adopt their own guidelines; however, a number of towns have implemented a uniform policy across the state. Mr. Autry stated that he can provide additional information to the Council about speed humps should they want to adopt such a policy. The Council had further discussion about speed hump guidelines. In referring to the preliminary resolution, Mayor Pro Tem Olds asked Mr. Autry if he would explain what the 566' on the west side encompasses. Mr. Autry explained that 566' encompasses five or six houses on the right side of Bruce Drive as you turn in from Erwin Road. From that point to the end of the road would encompass 700 feet to 1000 feet withjust woods. The entire left side of Bruce Drive would receive curb and gutter. Mayor Snipes asked if there was further discussion, Hearing none, motion unanimously approved. A copy of Resolution (R2006 -02) Directing that the Bruce Drive Curb & Gutter Project be Undertaken is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #2. APPROVAL FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) APPLICATION 97 The Dunn Police Department has the opportunity to apply for a single application award in the amount of $10,841.00 through the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) application deadline is March 2, 2006. Matching funds are not required. Motion by Council Member Galbreath, seconded by Council Member Joey Tart to approve the request by the Police Department to submit a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) application to apply for an award in the amount of $10,841.00. Motion unanimously approved. DOT MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT AND RESOLUTION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF ERWIN ROAD AND TILGHMAN DRIVE This is a municipal agreement and resolution allowing the Department of Transportation to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Erwin Road and Tilghman Drive. The state will fund the installation of this signal at an estimated cost of $50,000 plus. The City agrees to incur costs to relocate any utilities that may be in the way of this project and to acquire the right -of -way for the installation of signal equipment. Discussion was held about the City's cost for this project and the possibility of putting a cap on the City's contribution to this project; however, Attorney Pope cautioned the council that DOT may not proceed with this project if they are given a conditional agreement. Motion by Council Member Godwin, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart to approve the Municipal Agreement and adopt the Resolution to allow the Department of Transportation to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Erwin Road and Tilghman Drive. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of the Resolution (R2006 -03) between the Department of Transportation and the City of Dunn authorizing the installation of a traffic signal at Erwin Road and Tilghman Drive and agreeing to the terms of the installation is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #3. BOARD APPOINTMENTS BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS Currently there are three (3) vacancies on the Dunn Board of Adjustments in -town membership. Applications have been submitted by Oscar McPherson, Joseph Miriello, and Roy Tow, III. To achieve y staggered terms on this board, memberships would expire June 30, 2007. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Olds, seconded by Council Member Godwin to make the following appointments to the Board of Adjustments in -town membership with terms expiring June 30, 2007. Oscar McPherson 604 E. Bay Street Joseph Miriello 103 Shelly Drive Roy Tew, III 310 S. Layton Avenue Motion unanimously approved. BOARD APPOINTMENT PLANNING BOARD Currently there is one (1) vacancy on the Dunn Planning Board extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). An application has been submitted by Brian Johnson for this vacancy. To achieve staggered terms on this board, membership would expire June 30, 2008. Motion by Council Member Godwin, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart to make the following appointment to the Planning Board ETJ Membership with a term expiring June 30, 2008. Brian Johnson 2490 Hobson Road Motion unanimously approved. BUDGET RETREAT The Budget Retreat for Fiscal Year 2006 -07 will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Meeting Room located in Wallace, NC. The Budget Retreat will prioritize goals of the City and how to accomplish them for FY 2006 -07. Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Olds to approve the Budget Retreat date for Wednesday, February 22, 2006 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Meeting Room in Wallace, NC. Motion unanimously approved. M ADOPTION OF OFFICIAL CITY OF DUNN ZONING MAP The existing zoning maps have been converted to digital form for adoption as the official zoning map. Upon adoption of the zoning map, it will be available for distribution. To recover cost for the paper and ink, the City Council is being asked to approve the following fee schedule: 11 x 17 inch copies $ 5.00 24 x 36 inch copies $15.00 36 x 42 inch copies $20.00 In the future, the zoning map will be available for viewing and downloading on the City website. Motion by Council Member Galbreath, seconded by Council Member Godwin to adopt the proposed digital map as the official City of Dunn zoning map and approve the proposed fee schedule for distribution. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of the official zoning map is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #4. Council Member Godwin thanked City Planner Neuschafer in preparing this map. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Motion by Council Member Maness, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart to approve the Administrative Reports. Motion unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE REPORTS Mayor Snipes gave an overview of the current state of the City. He stated that as the council begins their third year together, he felt it important to bring everyone up to date on the current state of the City. He reported on the following accomplishments: • Revisions to ordinances and codes to improve and streamline the processes of government to assist businesses and citizens to make our city business friendly • Approved many conditional use permits and rezoning requests • Entered into an interlocal building inspection service agreement with the Town of Angier • Demolition of substandard structures • Demolished the old rescue building to expand parking and usable space at Tyler Park • Began work on and adopted the 2030 Land Use Plan • Broke ground on the Hampton Inn • Commercial construction on Tilghman Drive and East Point Village • Major renovations and additions to existing buildings (Ex. Barrington House, New Century Bank Operations Center) • Completion of the 30 million- dollar renovation and addition at Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital • Downtown store fronts continue to be filled adding to the tax base and job rolls • Vibrant downtown business district • Completion and grand opening of the Dr. P.K. Vyas, MD Recreation Center • Auditors reported City is financially sound • Finance Department awarded the Governmental Financial Officers Association Award for excellence in financial reporting • Aggressively sought and received over sixteen grants last year totally over $675,000.00 • Total grants carried over from previous budget year is approximately twenty-seven • Outside auditor applauded the City for their aggressiveness in obtaining numerous grants and suggested that the City consider the addition of a full -time grants administrator • Accident rate is down by over 18% • Granted the Police Department over $100,000 in funding to add new positions in an effort to fight crime • Infrastructure improved by the McKay Avenue sewer project and Pope Road sewer replacement project • Highway 421 widening project was completed — vital to expansion on the east side of town • Received a grant from the Rural Center to provide water and sewer to the new industrial site Brainerd Chemical Company • Completed the design and engineering phase of the Highway 421 culvert and drainage project • Budgeted and spent $75;000 to pave and resurface existing streets , • _ Completed the construction of a firing range for the Police Department • Bought and currently studying the best use of Fisherman's Paradise Building on E. Broad Street • Property located at 300 Friendly Road donated to the City to correct a drainage issue • Accepted Machine and Welding Company property donation —100` block of E. Edgerton Street • Civic Center Committee created to consider the future of the Civic Center property • Re- applied for a (3) million dollar Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant • Budgeted for and hired a consultant to begin the process of placing the downtown district on the National Historic Registry • Joined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the City, Harnett County, Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital and WakMed to form the Harnett Health Systems, Inc. and sought collectively a Certificate of Need (CON) to build a new not - for - profit hospital to serve the needs of all the citizens of the county — recently successful in this endeavor and excited about what this means for the expanded healthcare in the entire county rm Mayor Snipes stated that this is just a partial list of the projects and initiatives that the City has taken on in the last twelve months. He added that they are proud of these accomplishments but more can be done. They will finalize the City's road map and the course of work for the next two years at the upcoming budget retreat. On behalf of Mayor Pro -Tem Olds, the City Council, City Manager, management team and the over one - hundred and fifty dedicated employees who keep this city moving, Mayor Snipes stated that he is pleased to present this state of the city report. On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Snipes stated that they are proud of their two year record and are optimistic about their future and are truly honored to be of service to all the citizens of this great City. Mayor Snipes yielded to City Manager Uskiewicz for any comments he may wish to make. On behalf of the City staff, Manager Uskiewicz thanked the Council for their support and encouragement. He stated that collectively as a team, they have moved the City forward. Mr. Uskiewicz stated that the City is in great shape. He added that the past four years he has managed this fine city have been fantastic years. He thanked the staff and talked candidly to the citizens of Dunn. He stated that 99% of the citizens have been great to him and he forgives the other 1% which had their own issues and agendas. He welcomed anyone to come to him to talk to him about any issues. He thanked the employees. He stated that for those that know him, he leaves this City for personal reasons. Mr. Uskiewicz stated that he is in negotiations with the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tern and attorney representing the City of Alpena, Michigan. He added that he will be accepting the position of City Manager there once the final negotiated items are settled. He gave heartfelt thanks for being allowed to manage the City of Dunn. Council Member Joey Tart stated that Manager Uskiewicz has done a great job and he appreciates the time and efforts he has put into the job. He added that the Mayor has done a phenomenal job and has been a great leader for this Council. He has brought the Council together in making good solid decisions. He is appreciative of the Mayor's efforts. Council Member Godwin expressed appreciation to Manager Uskiewicz in the great job he has done for the City. He added that Mr. Uskiewicz is one of the most responsive individuals he knows. This is just one of the many attributes that Manager Uskiewicz has. He wished him well on his next assignment. Council Member Billy Tart stated that he has thoroughly enjoyed working with Manager Uskiewicz and he will be missed. He wished him well and stated that his prayers would be with him. Council Member Maness thanked Manager Uskiewicz for the job he has done. He has found Manager Uskiewicz to be very responsive about any issues or requests. He wished him great success in the future. Mayor Pro Tern Olds stated that he has spoken to Manager Uskiewicz. He wished him much luck as he makes this change in his life. He stated that Mr. Uskiewicz has been through some tough times and complemented Mr. Uskiewicz on being a strong person. Council Member Galbreath stated that he has told Manager Uskiewicz how he feels and thanked him for all of his responsiveness in responding to the numerous emails concerning various issues he sent to Mr. Uskiewicz on a regular basis. He wished him the best of luck. Council Member Galbreath thanked the Harnett County Martin Luther King Committee, Harnett County NAACP and the Harnett County NAACP Youth Council for coordinating the activities during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Mayor Snipes stated that the last thing he wants is to lose his City Manager. He added that Mr. Uskiewicz is accepting a wonderful position in a wonderful place on the water. He stated that Mr. Uskiewicz is a great City Manager. He added that the City of Dunn is losing a very effective and energetic City Manager. He stated that anything he has asked for from Mr. Uskiewicz has been given back quickly and professionally. He thanked Manager Uskiewicz for the job he has done and stated that he will be missed. He wished him the very best. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Attest: L t t,� L ij W.YI �. Debra G. West City Clerk _ ;� G pRPOg g T'•�Z �_ 2 SEAL. p9 •., P '� Ty CARO00 J. al S pes Mayor