051720041065
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Special Call Budget Work Session on Monday, May 17,
2004, at 4:00 p.m. in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present was Mayor J. Dal Snipes, Mayor Pro-
Tern Donnie Olds, Council Members Buddy Maness, Bryan Galbreath, Billy Tart, Billy R. Godwin,
Jr. and Joey Tart. Also present was Cky Manager Michael Uskiewicz, Assistant City
Manager/Public Works Director Ronnie Autry, Human Resources /Safety Officer Moses Gallion,
Recreation Director Perry Hudson, Fire Chief Austin Tew, Police Chief Tim Benware, Finance
Director Renee' Daughtry, City Engineer Ed Powell, City Attorney P. Tilghman Pope, and City
Clerk Debra West.
INVOCATION
Mayor Snipes opened the meeting at 4:06 p.m. and asked Billy Tart to give the invocation. Afterwards, the
pledge of allegiance was repeated.
Mayor Snipes yielded to Manager Uskiewicz.
Manager Uskiewicz stated that before the council tonight is a timetable calendar of events required by the
Local Government Commission (LGC) application process with regard to the Highway 421/Recreational
Center. As part of the LGC requirement, he requested that the council call for a public hearing on June 3,
2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of the Dunn Municipal Building to allow public comments/questions
concerning the financing of improvements to Highway 421 and the construction of a new Recreational
Facility.
Motion by Council Member Godwin, second4d, y Mayor Pro -tern Olds call for a public hearing on June
3, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of the Dunn Municipal Building for public comment concerning the
financing of improvements to Highway 421 and, construction of a new Recreation Center. Motion
unanimously approved.
Summer Hours - Manager Uskiewicz asked council to consider his proposal to change the regular city
office hours from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m. during the summer period of June 1, 2004
through August 31, 2004. He stated that this proposed schedule will allow employees to maximize the
hours of the day, as well as being an added fringe benefit for them.
The council discussed the current work hours, advantages and disadvantages of changing the hours during
the summer, concerns about public access to the offices and public service, and alternate suggestions of
working 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Council expressed some concern with city offices
closing at 4:00 p.m.
After further discussion, motion by Mayor Pro -tem Olds to try the proposed 7:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m. summer
schedule on a tentative basis for (1) month; at which time if affected personnel like the schedule, it will
continue until August 31, 2004 but if they do not like it, office hours will revert back to the regular hours of
8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Motion died for lack of second.
Additional discussion was held with regard to the advantages and disadvantages of changing the office
hours as well as the impact it may have on public service. Also discussion was held about notifying the
public of the office hour change via water bills and posting signs on doors.
Motion by Mayor Pro -tern Olds, seconded by Council Member Joey Tart to try the proposed summer
schedule hours of 7:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m. beginning June 1, 2004 until the July council meeting and if there is
an outcry of displeasure from the public at that tirnz, then the schedule will revert back to the regular hours
of 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Motion unanimously approved.
Rural Center Project — Manager Uskiewiecz discussed the favorable bid that was received for the Rural
Center Project. City Engineer, Ed Powell stepped'orward to recap on the Rural Center Grant Project bids.
Bids received were 12% above the estimate due tc material and energy price increases. The scope of the
project was reduced slightly. Project cost, including contingencies is $863,000. Recommendation for bid
award will be presented at the June 3, 2004 count meeting.
Powell Avenue Extension Acceptance/Sewer Payment to Wellons — Manager Uskiewicz explained that this
is an issue that existed before he became City Manager and should be addressed with some conclusion.
He explained that Powell Avenue Extension is a roadway that council needs to discuss and/or accept into " \,
the City's road system. He stated that this road was built to DOT state specifications but was never
accepted by the previous council because it had a rolled curb. He added that the City has accepted the
Crest and Gleneagles Subdivision and this street is a component of that development.
Mr. Uskiewicz explained that when Powell Avenue was extended, it was recommended that a water line be
placed under the road which met the specifications for the project. However, in negotiations with the City
of Dunn, Wellons Construction upsized the pipe to meet the needs should the second Powell Avenue
Extension be added. He added that the City owed Wellons $14,172.50, which is the difference in what
Wellons would have installed from what the City n_quired them to install through negotiations. He further
stated that the City Attorney has reviewed this issue and it should be resolved.
Motion by Council Member Maness, seconded by Council Member Galbreath that the City reimburse
Wellons $14,172.50 for pipe installed on Powell Avenue Extension. Motion unanimously approved.
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Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart that the City of Dunn
accept Powell Avenue Extension. Motion unanimously approved.
Budget Work Session — Manager Uskiewicz recapped the information given during the Budget
Retreat/Planning Session held in February. He briefed the council on the recent bids received for the
Recreation Facility and the Highway 421 widening projects. A bid of $1,081,990.00 was submitted by
Jackson Builders for the recreation facility project and a bid amount of $669,919 was submitted by Johnson
Brothers for the Highway 421 project. Of the $669,919 Highway 421 bid received, DOT has agreed to pay
$140,000. The amount of $539,000 will be assessed. After Local Government Commission (LGC)
approval, these bids will be brought to the council for acceptance.
Mr. Uskiewicz stated that during the June 3, 2004 council meeting, he will be addressing some needs in the
current budget. He is looking to reprioritize based on the revenue that will be available this year. Included
in the needs is a roof at the PAL Center Gymnasium. He discussed budget adjustments that will be brought
forth at the June 3, 2004 meeting, which will include OSHA inspection repairs, Fire Department pagers and
chargers, and the possible donation of Hanna's Pond.
Mr. Uskiewicz gave a brief overview of the proposed budget which included the following:
• Library — Proposing to add two (2) part time staff members. This will allow the Library to re -open
Cemetery Lot Rates — Public Works Director Ronnie Autry discussed the disadvantages of selling cemetery
lots at (2) different rates, one rate for buyers who live in the City of Dunn and another rate for buyers who
live out of the City Limits. The cemetery department proposed that all cemetery lot fees be the same
regardless of if the buyer lives in -town or out -of -town. This will save in administration time due to in -town
citizens and funeral directors buying lots at the in -town rates and then transferring those lots over to
individuals that live out -of -town. The council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the cemetery
department opening and closing all graves and services presently offered by the cemetery department.
Mayor F'ro -Tem Olds left the meeting at 5:57 p.m.
on Saturday.
•
Senior Center — Hiring a second employee at the Senior Center
•
New Recreation Facility — Proposing to open in March, 2005
•
4% COLA for all employees
•
Longevity Pay
•
Retain same health insurance coverage — projected 12% increase
•
Dental Insurance
•
Adjustments to personnel policy — adjust vacation accrual, added (1) personal day
•
Reclassification money for employees "" ,
•
Police — Grant proposals have been funded for two (2) additional police officers and (2) vehicles,
additional grants for video and computer equipment, anticipating $100,000 in another
lease /purchase program whereby new or.slightly used vehicles will be purchased (their goal is to
get away from purchasing used vehicles.with high mileage)
•
Fire Dept. — Doors at the fire station, protective clothing
•
Planning & Zoning — Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) study, Annexation study
•
Beautification/Mowing staff
•
Fee reviews
•
1.7% increase in the Republic Waste contract — contract has been revised with more protection for
the City of Dunn — Republic has made some corrections with service issues that were addressed by
J
the City.
•
Increased funding for tipping fees to cover the costs associated with removal of dilapidated
structures — City Attorney Pope explained that the City is not charging staff time when property
owners voluntarily give the city permission to tear down their structures. He stated that one of the
reasons behind this, is when the property owner contest the demolition of their structure, the
expenses to the city and legal expenses go up so it's a net win to the city even though the property
owners are not being charged for staff time as long as the city charges them for the out -of- pocket
costs, being the landfill tipping fees. He added that the city will actually come out better than in
those cases where the property owner does contest it because the cost to the city increases as a
result of that.
•
Water & Sewer — Proposing 7 '/2% water & sewer rate increase and 3.75 % increase for bulk (large
volume) users — The city must do this to stay consistent with the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan).
This increase will allow the city to fund the (2) Rural Center Program grants received. The city
must continue on this path in order to qualify for a potential $3 million dollar no match grant. —
City Engineer Ed Powell and Manager Uskiewicz explained that the City is at a point where they
are being mandated to be aggressive with the water system — There was discussion about rate
increases with regard to bulk, commercial and residential users.
•
Water Tank Maintenance Program — water tanks are currently being painted.
•
Employee Fringe Benefits - increase in vacation accrual
•
Impact Fee increase — Engineer Powell explained that the impact fees have not been increased
since 1991. He also explained how impact fees are calculated and recommended a 17% impact
fee rate increase.
•
Cemetery Lot Fee Increase — Council discussed the current cemetery lot fee as compared to other
surrounding towns
•
Weedy Lot Fee Increase
•
Subdivision Fee Schedule — Council expressed concern with the city collecting recording fees —
This should be left as present with the developer and lawyer handling the recording.
•
Parking Fines —Parking tickets are currently $1.00. The Police department is proposing to
increase the fee to $10.00.
Cemetery Lot Rates — Public Works Director Ronnie Autry discussed the disadvantages of selling cemetery
lots at (2) different rates, one rate for buyers who live in the City of Dunn and another rate for buyers who
live out of the City Limits. The cemetery department proposed that all cemetery lot fees be the same
regardless of if the buyer lives in -town or out -of -town. This will save in administration time due to in -town
citizens and funeral directors buying lots at the in -town rates and then transferring those lots over to
individuals that live out -of -town. The council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the cemetery
department opening and closing all graves and services presently offered by the cemetery department.
Mayor F'ro -Tem Olds left the meeting at 5:57 p.m.
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Manager Uskiewicz stated that in preparing the proposed budget, he has been very conservative on the
projections for revenue and very precise on expenses. He added that this is a balanced budget whereby the
fund balance is not being used.
Mayor Snipes opened the floor for discussion.
Benefits - Manager Uskiewicz explained to the council, the present longevity pay schedule which has been
in effect since 1999. They are not proposing any changes to it. The council discussed the proposed
vacation accrual increases for the employees as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the increases.
Council consensus was for the manager to bring back a modified vacation accrual schedule to the next
budget work session.
The council had questions with regard to the different line items of the proposed budget. The City Manager,
Finance Director and various Department heads explained these different line items to the council.
The council discussed the need and possibility of overlayment on a road in Resthaven Cemetery as well as
paving the parking areas at Tyler Park and Tart Park. The Manager will bring back information with regard
to accomplishing these projects at the next budget work session.
The council scheduled the next budget work session for Monday, May 24, 2004 at 4:00 p.m.
Council Member Joey Tart asked to be excused from the June 3, 2004 council meeting due to a work
conflict out of town.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m
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CITY
CORPOA
Attest:
', Z 0 :• ` L
Debra G. West
City Clerk
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