01222001655
DUNN CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
MINUTES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUNN HELD A SPECIAL CALL MEETING
ON JANUARY 23, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M IN THE DUNN MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
PRESENT WAS MAYOR ABRAHAM OUDEH, MAYOR PRO -TEM MHO✓ WOMBLE
AND COUNCILMEMBERS PAUL BASS, CAROLYN MCDOUGAL, GEORGE
ROBINSON, TOBY SUMNER AND JOEY TART. ALSO PRESENT WERE CITY
MANAGER CARL DEAN, CITY CLERK JOYCE VALLEY, CHIEF BUILDING
INSPECTOR RICKY PARSON, CITY ENGINEER ED POWELL, RECREATION
DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON, AND CITY ATTORNEY BILLY GODWIN.
INVOCATION
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED COUNCILMEMBER TART TO GIVE THE
INVOCATION. AFTERWARD, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS REPEATED.
PARTF GRANT APPLICATION
MAYOR OUDEH YIELDED TO CITY MANAGER DEAN WHO STATED THAT
THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT'S MEETING WAS TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT
CONCERNING THE CITY'S INTENT TO APPLY FOR A PARTF GRANT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 TO CONSTRUCT A NEW GYMNASIUM AT A TOTAL
COST OF $820,000.00. HE YIELDED TO PERRY HUDSON TO EXPLAIN THE
PROPOSAL.
RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON DIRECTED THE AUDIENCE'S
ATTENTION TO THE PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED GYMNASIUM AND STATED
THAT ALONG WITH THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AND CITIZEN
INPUT, THE PLANS FOR THE GYMNASIUM WERE DEVELOPED. HE FURTHER
STATED THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED FOR A NEW FACILITY DUE TO
THE FACT THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY BUILT THE CURRENT
CIVIC CENTER IN THE 1930'S AND TURNED IT OVER TO THE CITY IN THE
1970'S WHEN THEY BUILT A NEW ARMORY. HE STATED THAT THE
PROPOSAL IS TO BUILD A 12,625 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY AT A COST OF
$820,000.00. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FANCY ABOUT THE
PROPOSED FACILITY; HOWEVER, THERE ARE PLANS FOR IT TO INCLUDE A
MULTI - PURPOSE ROOM FOR THE CITIZENS TO RENT FOR BIRTHDAY
PARTIES, ETC., A GYMNASTICS AREA, A 7,125 SQUARE FOOT GYMNASIUM
AREA, A MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE AREA FOR EQUIPMENT AND
CONCESSION AND BATHROOM FACILITIES.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN
TO THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS
A DEFINITE NEED FOR A NEW GYMNASIUM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT
THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS AND THE TIME
HAS COME TO GO FORWARD WITH THE PLANS TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY.
HE YIELDED TO CITY ENGINEER ED POWELL TO DISCUSS THE PARTF
GRANT IN DETAIL.
CITY ENGINEER ED POWELL STATED THAT THE CITY OF DUNN HAS BEEN
OPERATING UNDER A RECREATION MASTER PLAN THAT WAS DEVELOPED
IN 1990 AND RE- DEVELOPED IN 1995 BY BALLARD & KING AND
ASSOCIATES AND THE HUGHES GROUP, ARCHITECTS AND RECREATIONAL
PLANNERS, TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE EXPANSION OF TART
PARK. HE FURTHER STATED THAT IN 1998, THE CITY WAS SUCCESSFUL IN
SECURING A PARTF GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 TO DO THE
EXPANSION AT TART PARK TO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
COMMUNITY CENTER FACILITY, LIGHTED FOOTBALL AND SOCCER FIELDS,
ACCESS TO PAVED WALKING AREAS, SOME PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
AND WALKING TRAILS.
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CITY ENGINEER POWELL EXPLAINED THAT IN LOOKING BACK AT THE OLD
STUDIES AND CONSIDERING THE DETERIORATED CONDITION OF THE
CURRENT CIVIC CENTER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEST PROPOSAL
WOULD BE TO BUILD A NEW GYMNASIUM FACILITY AT TART PARK. HE
STATED THAT THIS FACILITY WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT CIVIC
CENTER WHICH WAS NOTED AS BEING DETERIORATED IN 1995. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT TART PARK HAS THE SPACE AVAILABLE, THE
INFRASTRUCTURE, PARKING AND UTILITIES TO SERVE THIS TYPE OF
BUILDING. HE ADDED THAT THEY WOULD PROPOSE THAT ULTIMATELY,
THE CIVIC CENTER AT TYLER PARK WOULD BE DEMOLISHED AND A
PARKING AREA BE PUT IN PLACE.
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CITY ENGINEER POWELL STATED THAT THE CURRENT PLAYGROUND
FACILITIES AT ALL THREE PARKS WOULD BE UPGRADED OVER THE NEXT
FEW YEARS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE LIGHTING AT TART PARK
WILL BE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE DUE
TO SOME OF THE LIGHTING BEING THIRTY YEARS OLD. HE ADDED THAT
SPACE WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THIS BUILDING TO HOUSE THE CURRENT
RECREATION OFFICES.
CITY ENGINEER POWELL STATED THAT THE CITY HAS PREPARED A PARTF
GRANT APPLICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 TO CONSTRUCT A
NEW GYNASIUM AT A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $820,000.00 WHICH WILL BE
FILED NEXT WEEK AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING BEING HELD
TONIGHT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THESE GRANTS COME ANNUALLY
AND THE LAST GRANT WAS USED TO EXPAND TART PARK.
MAYOR OUDEH CLOSED THE MEETING AND OPENED A PUBLIC HEARING
AT 7:09 P.M. HE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE PRESENT TO SPEAK FOR OR
AGAINST THE CITY'S INTENT TO APPLY FOR A PARTF GRANT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 TO CONSTRUCT A NEW GYMNASIUM AT A TOTAL
PROJECT COST OF $820,000.00.
PUBLIC HEARING
PARTF GRANT APPLICATION
DAL SNIPES, A RESIDENT OF 905 WEST POPE STREET, STATED THAT HE
WAS REPRESENTING THE DUNN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT AT A RECENT JOINT MEETING, A COUPLE OF
COUNCIL'S AGENDA ITEMS WERE NEAR AND DEAR TO THEM, ONE OF
THEM BEING THE CITY'S LONG -RANGE PLAN AND THE OTHER BEING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GYMNASIUM AT TART PARK. HE ADDED THAT
AS A RESULT OF THAT MEETING, AN ARTICLE APPEARING IN LAST
NIGHT'S NEWSPAPER AND A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY
MANAGER, THE CHAMBER POLLED ITS CHAMBER OFFICERS AND BOARD
OF DIRECTORS TODAY. HE SAID THERE WAS NO TIME TO MAKE THIS AN
AGENDA ITEM FOR THE CHAMBER THIS MONTH; HOWEVER, THE POLL AS
TO WHETHER THE NEW GYMNASIUM IS NEEDED RESULTED IN A
UNANIMOUS OFFER OF SUPPORT FROM THE DUNN AREA CHAMBER
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
MR. SNIPES STATED THAT HE PLAYED IN THE CURRENT FACILITY MORE
THAN THIRTY AND LESS THAN FORTY YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS OLD,
OUTDATED AND DREARY THEN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT IT IS HARD
TO BELIEVE THAT A CITY LIKE DUNN WOULD HAVE A FACILITY SUCH AS
THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER. HE ADDED THAT HE FELT THAT THE CITY
OF DUNN STAFF HAS GONE BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN HAVING TO
WORK AT SUCH A FACILITY.
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MR. SNIPES STATED THAT AT THE CHAMBER'S PLANNING RETREAT,
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES AND HELPING
DUNN MOVE FORWARD ON A GROWTH TRACK AND HE CERTAINLY
THINKS THAT IF HE WERE A BUSINESS COMING TO DUNN OR IF HIS JOB
TRANSFERRED HIM TO DUNN, AND WAS LOOKING AT CHURCHES,
SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE
IMPORTANT IN MAKING A DECISION TO MOVE TO DUNN, THE CIVIC
CENTER WOULD CERTAINLY BE A MAJOR DETERRENT TO HIS COMING TO
LIVE IN DUNN IF HE HAD KIDS WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE
RECREATION PROGRAM.
MR. SNIPES SAID THAT HE BELIEVES WITH THE NEW INDUSTRY THAT IS
DESIRED IN DUNN AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO
SEE HAPPEN IN DUNN, THIS IS JUST ONE SMALL PIECE AND IT TAKES ALL
OF THESE PIECES TO MAKE THESE THINGS WORK.
HE ASKED THAT COUNCIL MAKE THIS PROJECT MOVE FORWARD. HE
STATED THAT A COUPLE OF COMMENTS THAT WERE RECEIVED FROM THE
POLL TODAY WERE "LETS DON'T SKIMP AND LET'S MAKE THIS A FIRST
CLASS FACILITY" AND "LET'S MAKE SURE IT IS EXPANDABLE AND WILL
HANDLE THE GROWTH NEEDS IN THE FUTURE ". HE EXPRESSED
APPRECIATION TO THE RECREATION STAFF, CITY MANAGER AND CITY
COUNCIL THEIR PROGRESSIVE THINKING AND SAID HE THOUGHT IT
WAS A GREAT STEP THAT THE CITY IS TAKING AT THIS TIME.
HE SAID AS A PARENT, HE THINKS THIS FACILITY IS SO IMPORTANT THAT
HIS BELIEF IS THAT THE CITY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH IT
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE GRANT IS RECEIVED; ALTHOUGH, HE
CERTAINLY HOPES THE GRANT IS RECEIVED TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF
THE COSTS.
MR. CECIL "BO" JONES, 1004 WEST POPE STREET, STATED THAT HE HAS
ADDRESSED COUNCIL IN THE PAST CONCERNING THE NEEDS OF THE
RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DUNN RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD, THEY HAVE UNANIMOUSLY GONE ON RECORD AS
BEING IN SUPPORT OF A NEW GYMNASIUM. HE SAID THAT ONCE THE
BUILDING IS IN PLACE, IT WILL BE A SHOWPLACE. HE COMMENDED
COUNCIL FOR THEIR HELP IN EXPANDING TART PARK AND THEY ARE NOW
IN A POSITION WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE CAN COME IN
TO LEARN WHAT DUNN RECREATION HAS TO OFFER THEM.
MR. JONES STATED THAT HE WAS ONCE EMPLOYED BY THE RECREATION
DEPARTMENT AND WORKED AT THE CIVIC CENTER WHICH IS OUT - DATED.
HE SAID THAT THE CHILDREN DESERVE A BETTER FACILITY. HE ADDED
THAT WHEN THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE, AND HE FEELS CONFIDENT THAT
IT WILL, BE DONE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR CHILDREN, THAT THE
BUILDING BE KEPT MAINTAINED.
CARLIE C. "MACK" MCLAMB, 101 CANTERBURY DRIVE, STATED THAT HE
PLAYED IN THE CIVIC CENTER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD AND IT IS AN OLD,
WORN -OUT FACILITY. HE FURTHER STATED THAT AS A PARENT, IT IS
EVEN WORSE. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO WATCH HIS KIDS PLAY AND
SOMETIMES SNEAKS DOWNSTAIRS SO HE CAN SEE THEM PLAY BECAUSE
HE IS ONE OF THE FEW WHO IS TALL ENOUGH TO SEE ABOVE THE CROWD.
HE SAID THAT MOST OF THE PARENTS SIT AND STAND AROUND THE GYM
FLOOR. HE SAID THAT THE UPKEEP OF THE CURRENT GYM IS GOING TO
BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
MR. MCLAMB STATED THAT HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH ANYONE WHO
HAD OPPOSITION TO THE GYM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT IF HE HAD
ANY DRAWBACK, IT WAS THAT HE QUESTIONED WHETHER IT WAS BIG
ENOUGH AND HE FELT LIKE THE BUILDING SHOULD BE LARGER. HE
ADDED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD BUDGET CONSTRAINTS; HOWEVER, IF IT
WAS BUILT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT COULD BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE
MAYBE THAT WOULD SUFFICE.
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MR. MCLAMB STATED THAT THIS YEAR WHEN HE WAS COACHING LITTLE
LEAGUE BASEBALL, HE HEARD A CHILD FROM ANOTHER TOWN SAY TO
THEIR DAD "DO WE GET TO PLAY ON THIS FIELD" BUT HE DARED SAY
THAT IF ANOTHER CHILD CAME TO PLAY IN OUR GYM THAT THEY WOULD
SAY "DAD, DO WE GET TO PLAY IN THIS GYM?" HE SAID THAT IT WAS
JUST THAT DIVERSE AND IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON AND HE IS SUPPORTIVE
OF THE PROJECT.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT THE REASON THE PLANS ARE 13,000
SQUARE FEET IS BECAUSE THE COUNCIL AND CHAMBER ARE WORKING
TOWARD CONSTRUCTION OF A CONVENTION CENTER.
EDDY LANGSTON, 1103 W. VANCE STREET, STATED THAT HE WAS ONE OF
THE PARENTS WHO CANNOT SEE OVER THE WIRE IN THE CURRENT
GYMNASIUM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE IS REPRESENTING THE
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD, AND AT THEIR LAST MEETING, HE READ
AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER WITH COMMENTS SUPPOSEDLY MADE BY
DAL SNIPES WHICH UPSET HIM, BUT THANKED MR. SNIPES FOR HIS
EARLIER COMMENTS BECAUSE HE NOW KNOWS WHERE MR. SNIPES
STANDS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GYMNASIUM.
MR. LANGSTON STATED THAT HE HAS WORKED AND PLAYED AT THE
CIVIC CENTER MANY YEARS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN A
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER FOR TWENTY YEARS, ALTHOUGH NEVER
SERVED AT THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER WHICH WAS THE ARMORY
BECAUSE THE NATIONAL GUARD BUILT A NEW FACILITY IN DUNN
BECAUSE THE FACILITY ,WHICH WAS TURNED OVER TO THE CITY, WAS
WORN OUT.
SHIRLEY WHITE, 100 FOUNTAIN CIRCLE, STATED THAT SHE IS A MEMBER
OF THE DUNN RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AND PROGRAM
COORDINATOR WITH THE YOUTH SERVICES FOR HARNETT COUNTY. SHE
FURTHER STATED THAT SHE SUPPORTS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW
GYMNASIUM BECAUSE OF THE NEED AND HER SON, CLAYTON WHITE,
(✓ GREW UP IN THE CURRENT GYM. SHE ADDED THAT THERE IS A
DESPERATE NEED FOR A NEW GYM.
ROB JONES, 1201 W. DIVINE STREET, STATED THAT HIS FAMILY MOVED TO
DUNN IN 1973 FROM FAYETTEVILLE WHERE HE PLAYED IN THE
RECREATION PROGRAM. HE SAID THAT WHEN MOVING TO DUNN, THERE
WAS SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE, IT WAS LIKE MR. MCLAMB SAID- -
"WE'RE COMING TO THIS ". HE STATED THAT THE CURRENT CONDITION OF
THE CIVIC CENTER MAKES IT NOT FEASIBLE TO USE. HE SAID THAT IF
SOMEONE WAS MOVING TO TOWN, THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND A NEW FACILITY IS BADLY NEEDED. HE
ADDED THAT TO CONTINUE PUTTING MONEY IN THE CURRENT CIVIC
CENTER IS LIKE WASHING MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN. HE STATED THAT A
NEW ROOF WOULD BE NEEDED IN A FEW YEARS BECAUSE IT IS A FLAT
ROOF AND NOW IS THE TIME, WHETHER GRANT MONEY IS AVAILABLE OR
NOT, TO CONSTRUCT A NEW FACILITY.
MIKE WHITMAN, 110 BYRD DRIVE, STATED THAT HE IS A RECREATION
COACH AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT HE JUST LEFT THE CIVIC CENTER AFTER
COACHING A GAME, AND THERE WERE 200 TO 300 PEOPLE IN THE CIVIC
CENTER TONIGHT, ENJOYING WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN PLAY. HE SAID
THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER HIS SUPPORT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A, NEW GYMNASIUM.
I�
MR. WHITMAN STATED THAT HE WORKS PART -TIME FOR THE RECREATION
DEPARTMENT AND ONE OF HIS JOBS IN THE SUMMER IS COORDINATING
SUMMER CAMPS. HE INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE BUILDING WOULD
NOT GO UNUSED BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A PARTICIPATION PROBLEM;
THERE IS A FACILITY PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT IN THE SUMMERTIME,
SEVERAL CAMPS WOULD USE THE BUILDING.
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MR. WHITMAN SAID THAT THIS YEAR, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM IN
THE CIVIC CENTER TO HOLD THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE AND IT HAD TO
BE MOVED TO DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH ABOUT EIGHTY
PARTICIPANTS. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN YEAR
OLD KIDS PLAYING BASKETBALL AND THEY ALL BRING PARENTS AND
GRANDPARENTS WITH A TOTAL OF ABOUT 300 PEOPLE. HE SAID THAT
YEAR, THEY COULD NOT SECURE DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THERE WAS
A PROBLEM WITH SEATING AND HEAT IN THE CIVIC CENTER. HE ADDED
THAT THERE ARE A MINIMUM OF 1,000 PEOPLE WHO GO THROUGH THE
CIVIC CENTER EACH WEEK AND THERE ARE 35 BASKETBALL TEAMS
PLAYING RIGHT NOW, ALONG WITH THE GYMNASTICS PROGRAM AND
SENIOR CITIZENS WHO WALK IN THE MORNING.
MR. WHITMAN GAVE HIS SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED GYMNASIUM AND
ADDED THAT THIS BUILDING WILL BE USED FOR THE NEXT THIRTY OR
FORTY YEARS AND HE WOULD LIKE IT DONE RIGHT.
GARY JOHNSON, 108 JACKSON ROAD, STATED THAT FROM WHAT HAS
BEEN SAID TONIGHT AND HIS BELIEF AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF DUNN
AND A PARENT OF CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECREATION
PROGRAM, THE CITY IS IN NEED OF A NEW CIVIC CENTER. HE FURTHER
STATED THAT HE PLAYED IN THE CIVIC CENTER WHILE IN SCHOOL AND IT
WAS IN BAD SHAPE AT THAT TIME. HE ADDED THAT OUR RECREATION
FACILITIES REFLECT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND HE IS BEHIND THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.
MR. JOHNSON STATED THAT AS A RESIDENT IN THE AREA, HE IS A LITTLE
CONCERNED THAT THE PROPOSED FACILITY IS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN A
RESIDENTIAL AREA AS FAR AS POLICING, SECURITY AND PROPERTY
VALUES. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS A RESIDENT OF JACKSON
ROAD AND THE AREA WILL BE INFLUXED WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC. HE
SAID THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A NEW CIVIC CENTER, BUT ASKED
THAT COUNCIL CONSIDER THE HOMEOWNERS IN THE AREA AND HE
WANTED ASSURANCES AS FAR AS ROAD ACCESS, SECURITY AND
POLICING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
REVEREND CARL MINOR, 105 CARRIAGE COURT, STATED THAT HE WAS A
LOCAL PASTOR IN THE AREA AND AS INVOLVED AS ANYONE IN TOWN. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN COACHING
BASKETBALL AND SOCCER TEAMS AND JUST RETURNED FROM COACHING
A BASKETBALL GAME. HE STATED THAT HAVING LIVED IN MANY AREAS
AS A PASTOR, HE HAS SEEN THE GREAT BENEFIT OF WHAT RECREATION
DOES FOR OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY. HE ADDED THAT HE IS
THANKFUL THAT DUNN HAS A PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY
BASKETBALL BUT FRANKLY, COMPARED TO ANYWHERE HE HAS EVER
LIVED, THE CURRENT FACILITY IS ABOUT THE POOREST.
REVEREND MINOR ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO BUILD A NEW GYMNASIUM.
HE STATED THAT IT DOES WONDERFUL THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY
AND FAMILY. HE SAID THAT THIS PAST YEAR, HE HAS HAD WHITE BOYS,
BLACK BOYS AND HISPANIC BOYS ON HIS TEAM. HE SAID THAT IT IS THE
ONLY TIME HE SEES THEM AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES PLAYING
TOGETHER, SITTING TOGETHER ,TALKING AND CHEERING TOGETHER. HE
SAID THAT SADLY, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THE PARENTS TO SIT WHERE
BASKETBALL IS BEING PLAYED NOW. HE SAID THAT THEY SIT ALONG THE
SIDELINES, DODGING THE BOUNCING BALLS. HE SAID IF POSSIBLE, HE
WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO BUILD THIS GYMNASIUM.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
EDDIE CRABTREE, 1609 CURRITUCK STREET, STATED THAT HE WOULD
LIKE TO HEAR SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBER'S IDEAS SO THE AUDIENCE
CAN GRASP COUNCIL'S THOUGHTS AND IDEAS CONCERNING THE
PROJECT.
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COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED THAT HE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE
GYMNASIUM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE SIZE OF THE GYMNASIUM AND ASKED CITY ENGINEER POWELL IF HE
THOUGHT THE 30 X 20 FOOT MULTI - PURPOSE AREA WAS LARGE ENOUGH
TO LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
CITY ENGINEER POWELL STATED THAT THE MULTI - PURPOSE AREA AND
THE GYMNASIUM AREA WAS DEVELOPED BY THE STAFF AS BEING THE
AMOUNT OF SPACE NEEDED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THEY TEMPERED
THE PLANS WITH THE FINANCIAL COST OF THE BUILDING; HOWEVER, THE
i BUILDING WILL BE READILY EXPANDABLE FOR FUTURE NEEDS.
CITY ENGINEER POWELL STATED THAT A LOT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN
PLACED UPON THE CITY'S PLATE IN THE LAST YEAR AND WILL BE ON IT IN
THE NEXT YEAR, SO THEY HAVE TRIED TO BALANCE WHAT THEY WOULD
LIKE TO HAVE AND WHAT CAN BE AFFORDED BY THE CITY, HE SAID THAT
GIVEN THEIR RATHERS, THEY WOULD LIKE THE BUILDING TO BE MUCH
LARGER, BUT HE IS AFRAID THAT WOULD HAVE PRICED THE FACILITY
OUT OF THE BALLPARK.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT HE WOULD LOVE TO
13UILD A $2M OR $3M FACILITY AND THERE MAY BE SOME TWEAKING OF
THE PLANS, BUT THE MULTI - PURPOSE ROOM CAN BE USED FOR
GYMNASTICS AND OTHER PROGRAMS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE
ROOM BEING USED FOR GYMNASTICS AT THE CURRENT TIME IS
DEPLORABLE. HE ADDED THAT THE PLANS CAN BE EXPANDED UPON, BUT
IF COUNCIL WANTED TO BUILD A LARGER FACILITY, HE CERTAINLY
WOULD NOT BACK AWAY FROM IT.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT AS A GRANDFATHER TO
FIFTEEN GRANDCHILDREN, HE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO HAVE A
DECENT FACILITY TO COME HOME TO ONE DAY,
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER AND OTHERS HAVE ELUDED TO AND
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS WHO HAVE CALLED HIM, THE QUESTIONS
ARISING ARE WHETHER THIS FACILITY WILL BE NICE ENOUGH, LARGE
ENOUGH AND WHETHER THE CITY WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STUDY THE
PROJECT AND DO IT RIGHT.
HE STATED THAT HIS COMMENTS TO THOSE PEOPLE ARE THAT TONIGHT,
COUNCIL IS GOING TO CONSIDER A NEW RESOLUTION DEALING WITH
ANALYSIS OF THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM WHICH IS THE
BASIS OF A LONG RANGE PLAN DEVELOPED IN THE PAST. HE FURTHER
STATED THAT COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A GRANT
APPLICATION TONIGHT. HE SAID THAT A PARTICULAR DESIGN OF THE
BUILDING WILL NOT BE DECIDED TONIGHT. HE ADDED THAT AFTER THE
APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED, THE COUNCIL WILL STILL HAVE CONTROL
OVER THE APPEARANCE AND SIZE OF THE BUILDING.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HIS DECISION ON THE
GYMNASIUM IS STRICTLY A FINANCIAL DECISION. HE FURTHER STATED
THAT WITH THE $820,000.00 COST OF THE PROJECT, SUBTRACTING THE
$250,000.000 GRANT WILL BRING THE DIFFERENCE TO $570,000.00 AND A
FEW YEARS AGO, THE COUNCIL SPENT $200,00.00 ON A ROOF THAT NOW
LEAKS RESULTING IN A BASKETBALL GAME BEING RAINED OUT. HE
ADDED THAT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF MONEY
WILL HAVE TO BE SPENT ON THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER VERY SOON TO
j' CONTINUE ITS USE.
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MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT IF THE CITY COULD PROCEED
WITH THE GYM PREVENTING COUNCIL FROM SPENDING THAT EXTRA
MONEY ON THE CIVIC CENTER, ALLOWING THE CITY TO PAY THAT
AMOUNT AS AN ADDITIONAL DOWNPAYMENT IN ADDITION TO THE
GRANT ON THE FACILITY, THAT WOULD PAY FOR AN ESTIMATED ONE -
HALF OF THE GYMNASIUM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT COUNCIL MAY
PROPOSE TO FINANCE THE BALANCE OF THE GYM OVER A TWELVE YEAR
PERIOD OF TIME BASED ON SOME NUMBER DISCUSSED AT THE BUDGET
RETREAT THIS WEEKEND. HE ADDED THAT IF SIX YEARS FROM NOW, THE
CIVIC CENTER WERE STILL STANDING, THE CITY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE
TO SPEND SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR RENOVATIONS TO
KEEP IT SAFE BUT IF THOSE FUNDS COULD BE DIVERTED TO PAY FOR THIS
GYM, PROBABLY AT LEAST TWO- THIRDS OF THIS MONEY COULD HELP
PAY FOR THE NEW FACILITY. HE SAID THERE COMES A TIME WHEN IT IS
MONETARILY FEASIBLE TO KEEP THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER AND IT HAS
HIS SUPPORT.
HE STRESSED THAT THIS IS A PRELIMINARY PLAN AND ASSURED MR.
JOHNSON THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER THE RESIDENTIAL ISSUES WHICH
CONCERNED THE CITIZENS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TART PARK.
COUNCILMEMBER PAUL BASS STATED THAT HE WAS DEFINITELY IN
SUPPORT OF BUILDING A NEW GYMNASIUM. HE FURTHER STATED THAT
IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DO, IT WAS
SOMETHING THE CITY HAS TO DO. HE ADDED THAT THE ONLY CONCERNS
RESIDENTS WHO HAVE CALLED HIM HAD WERE INVOLVING WHETHER
THE FACILITY COULD BE BUILT AT ANOTHER LOCATION. HE SAID THAT
NOT ONE PERSON WHO CALLED HIM HAS BEEN NEGATIVE CONCERNING
THE NEED FOR A NEW FACILITY, BUT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT
SECURITY IN THE AREA.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT HE APPLAUDS PERRY HUDSON AND
HIS STAFF FOR WORKING UNDER THE CONDITIONS THEY HAVE WORKED
UNDER THE PAST FEW YEARS AT THE CIVIC CENTER. HE FURTHER
STATED THAT THE CITY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD IN CONSTRUCTING A
GYM. HE SAID THAT HE HAS SOME CONCERNS THAT THE FACILITY WILL
NOT BE LARGE ENOUGH DUE TO INCREASED ENROLLMENTS IN THE
SCHOOL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE CITY NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS
PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR IN THIS NEW FACILITY.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE FOR THE NEW
FACILITY AND ALL OF THE PARKS TO BE LOCATED AT TYLER PARK, BUT
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE AT TYLER PARK. HE AGREED THAT THE
NEW FACILITY SHOULD BE A SHOWPLACE AND HE IS IN FAVOR OF
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GYMNASIUM.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SHE SUPPORTS THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GYMNASIUM AND HAS HAD QUESTIONS POSED
TO HER AS TO THE LIABILITIES OF THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER. SHE
STATED THAT HER CONCERN WAS IF IT WOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH TO
MEET FUTURE NEEDS BUT REMAIN WITHIN THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE
CITY.
BILLY BARFIELD, 1304 GUY AVENUE, STATED THAT THE PROPOSED
FACILITY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF TIN AND TIN ROTS AND /OR RUSTS.
HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED $265,000.00 FROM THE
HOSPITAL AND THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL SPENT THAT MONEY ON PAVING
PROJECTS AND THAT MONEY COULD BE SPENT ON THE PROPOSED
GYMNASIUM.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT ALL OF THE COUNCIL HAS A
DESIRE TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL TAX RATE AND TO KEEP CONTROL OVER
SPENDING. HE FURTHER STATED THAT A CONCERN WAS THAT
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FACILITY WOULD CAUSE AN INCREASE IN TAXES
AND THEIR COMMITMENT IS TO STREAMLINE WHILE TRYING TO PROVIDE
SERVICES FOR THE CITIZENS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.
662
WITH NO FURTHER COMMENTS, MAYOR OUDEH CLOSED THE PUBLIC
HEARING AT 7:41 P.M.
APPROVAL OF RECREATION FACILITIES ANALYSIS
STUDY UPDATE RESOLUTION
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT AS PART OF THE GRANT PROCESS,
COUNCIL MUST APPROVE THE RECREATION FACILITIES ANALYSIS STUDY
UPDATE RESOLUTION. HE FURTHER STATED THAT IN FORMULATING THE
PLAN, IT IS FLEXIBLE AND NOT SET IN STONE.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TART, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SUMNER TO APPROVE THE RECREATION FACILITIES ANALYSIS STUDY
UPDATE RESOLUTION. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
(ATTACHMENT #])
APPROVAL OF SUBMISSION OF PARKS AND RECREATION TRUST
FUND GRANT APPLICATION RESOLUTION
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THIS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND FILE AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
OF DUNN WITH THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE PARKS AND
RECREATION TRUST FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 WITH A
TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $820,000.00.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
ROBINSON TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE AND FILE AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DUNN
WITH THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION
TRUST FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.00 WITH A TOTAL
PROJECT COST OF $820,000.00. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
(ATTACHMENT 42)
WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED
i AT 7:58 P.M.
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