06132000548
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTE CAROLINA
MINUTES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUNN HELD A SPECIAL CALL BUDGET
WORKSESSION ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2000 AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE DUNN MUNICIPAL
BUILDING. PRESENT WAS MAYOR PRO -TEM MIKE WOMBLE AND COUNCILMEMBERS
GEORGE ROBINSON, JOEY TART, AND TOBY SUMNER. ALSO PRESENT WAS CITY
MANAGER CARL DEAN, CITY CLERK JOYCE VALLEY, POLICE CHIEF PAT GODWIN,
FIRE CHIEF AUSTIN TEW, ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JOE CAMPBELL,
( RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON, BUILDING INSPECTOR RICKY PARSON AND
\. DAILY RECORD REPORTER MARLA PRETTY.
FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGHTRY WAS ABSENT DUE TO ATTENDING THE GFOA
CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TIM HOLLOMAN WAS
ABSENT DUE TO VACATION.
MAYOR ABRAHAM OUDEH, COUNCILMEM 3ER PAUL BASS AND COUNCILMEMBER
CAROL'YN MCDOUGAL ARRIVED AT 4:03 P.M
INVOCATION
MAYOR OUDEH OPENED THE MEETING AT 4:C4 P.M. AND ASKED COUNCILMEMBER TART
TO GIVE THE INVOCATION. AFTERWARD, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS REPEATED.
SALARY PROPOSAL
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT HE HAD FORWARDED THE INFORMATION COUNCIL
REQUESTED TO THEM FOR THEIR REVIEW, AND THAT THE SALARY SCHEDULE PROPOSED
IS AS FOLLOWS:
YEARS OF SERVICE
1 -5 3%
6 -10 4%
II -19 5%
20> 6%
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT HE HAD ASKED THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO GIVE HIM A
COPY OF LAST YEAR'S SALARIES, BECAUSE HE WANTED COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THE
PERCENTAGE OF RAISES LAST YEAR.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SHE HAD LOOKED OVER THE INFORMATION
PROVIDED AND BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MERIT RAISES, SHE RECOMMENDED THE
FOLLOWING PERCENTAGES:
ADMINISTRATION
3%
RECREATION
3%
FINANCE
3%
FIRE DEPARTMENT
3%
POLICE DEPARTMENT
6%
LIBRARY
6%
PUBLIC WORKS
4%
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED WHAT WAS THE BASIS FOR THE NUMBERS.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL RESPONDED THAT EVALUATIONS OR MERIT RAISES ARE
NOT BEING DONE BY STAFF.
CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT EMPLOYEES ARE BEING EVALUATED.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS
t IF THE CITY WERE USING A MERIT SYSTEM.
CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT IN THE PAST A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY
WAS ALLOCATED AND ANYONE THAT WAS GRADED AT 3% OR MORE, GOT A
PERCENTAGE OF THAT ALLOCATED AMOUNT BASED ON THE EMPLOYEE'S EVALUATION.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SOME EMPLOYEES FROM THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAD CONTACTED HER BECAUSE THEY
FELT THEY WERE NOT BEING PAID WHAT THEY WERE WORTH. SHE ADDED THAT IF THE
CITY HAS GOOD ADMINISTRATION, BUT N'JNE IN THE FIELD SUCH AS THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE WORK IS NOT GOING TO GET
DONE.
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MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THA- IN THE HANDOUT COUNCIL RECEIVED, THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS A T07AL OF 21 EMPLOYEES, 9 OF WHICH DO NOT
MAKE $20,000 A YEAR AND THERE ARE ON-Y 3 OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE $30,000
OR MORE.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A NICE CROSS SECTION
OF PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS AND INCOME RANGES AND THERE IS ALMOST A
$40,000 INCREASE GOING TO THAT DEPARTMENT COLLECTIVELY. HE ADDED THAT
$13,000 IS JUST TO GET THEM TO WHAT THE STUDY SAYS SHOULD BE MINIMUM
SALARIES; AND ANOTHER $18,000 IS BEING GIVEN TO THEM ON THE BASIS OF THE 3% TO
6% RANGE.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE CITY CANNOT PAY MORE FOR A POSITION
THAN OTHER BUSINESSES PAY FOR A SIM3,AR POSITION. HE ADDED THAT HE GETS THE
IMPRESSION FROM COUNCIL THAT THIS IS A PAY PLAN TO BENEFIT THE DEPARTMENT
HEADS, BUT THE RANKING PERSON IS ALSO GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THIS
MONEY. HE STATED THAT THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES CONDUCTED A STUDY
WHICH GIVES SOME BASIS FOR BEING OB ECTIVE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT COUNCIL
CANNOT SAY THAT ONE PERSON IS MORE:DvTORTANT THAN ANOTHER. HE ADDED THAT
RAISES ARE TYPICALLY GIVEN IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, AND AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES
A LARGER SALARY BECAUSE OF EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE SHOULD NOT BE
PENALIZED FOR BEING IN THEIR POSITION
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT THE OLDER PEOPLE NEED LONGEVITY PAY.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY TOOK THE 3% AND THE 6% AND
ADDED THEM ALL TOGETHER, THEN DIVIDED THEM AND COME UP WITH 4% STRAIGHT
ACROSS THE BOARD.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE RETIREMENT AND 401 -K
AND THE 2% THE CITY PAYS TO ITS EMPLOYEES FOR THE 401 -K SHOULD BE FIGURED IN
WITH THEIR RAISE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CITY
OFFERING TWO RETIREMENT PLANS.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT COUNCIL IS TRYING TO BE FAIR TO EVERYBODY, THE
LITTLE MAN AND THE BIG MAN WORKING FOR THE CITY.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THA= BECAUSE COUNCIL IS THE TRUSTEE OF THE
PUBLIC'S MONEY, THEY MUST PAY COMPETITIVE SALARIES. HE ADDED THAT COUNCIL
SHOULD BASE THEIR DECISIONS ON RESEARCH THAT PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE USED
AND ADDED THAT THE CITY HAS TO PAY ITS EMPLOYEES WHAT IT TAKES TO RETAIN
THEM.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED IF A PERSON IN THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS MAKING
CLOSE TO $40,000.00 A YEAR, WHY IS A PART -TIME PERSON NEEDED TO CLOSE THE DOORS
AT THE CIVIC CENTER.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE RESPONDED THAT THE CITY MUST OFFER A COMPETITIVE
SALARY TO THE RECREATION DIRECTOR.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT HE WAS DISTURBED AT THE WAY THIS MEETING
WAS GOING AND COUNCIL WAS NOT GETTING ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED. HE STATED
THEY HAD BEEN TRYING FROM THE BEGINNING TO BRING EMPLOYEES UP TO WHAT
THEY SHOULD BE MAKING ACCORDING TO THEIR JOB POSITION. HE ADDED THAT
COUNCIL NEEDS TO DEPEND ON SURVEYS THAT ARE RUN BY PEOPLE WHO ARE
EXPERIENCED IN THAT FIELD.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HE WANTED TO ADD THAT THE SURVEYS ARE
NOT DONE BY THE STAFF IN DUNN, BUT BY INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THE JOB DESCRIPTION IS WHAT CALCULATES THE
SALARY, AND UNTIL COUNCIL CAN MAKE THAT SEPARATION BETWEEN SALARIES THERE
WILL BE A PROBLEM.
HE ADDED THAT DUNN HAS GOOD, DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WORKING FOR THE CITY
AND ALL OF THEM DESERVE AS MUCH MONEY AS COUNCIL CAN AFFORD TO GIVE THEM.
HE ADDED THAT EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE YEARS OF SERVICE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE
SAME BENEFIT AS NEW HIRES.
' 1
�1
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED IF THE FIRST PROPOSAL HAD BEEN APPROVED, WOULD IT
HAVE BROUGHT EVERYBODY UP TO GRADE.
550
CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT THE PROPOSED PLAN WOULD BRING
EVERYBODY UP TO MINIMUM PLUS 2 %.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL PLAN WOULD COST $259,000
AND THIS PLAN SUGGESTED BY COUNCIL AT THE LAST MEETING WOULD COST $245,000
WITH A DIFFERENCE OF $13,600. HE ADDED THAT THE ORIGINAL PLAN MIGHT BE THE
BEST ONE AND ALTHOUGH THE PLAN WAS NCT PERFECT, IT OFFERS A SYSTEMATIC WAY
TO CORRECT PAY ADMINISTRATION.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE WAS GUILTY OF NOT SEEING SOME THINGS.
HE STATED THAT COUNCIL NEEDED TO BE FAIR TO EVERYONE. HE SAID HE
UNDERSTANDS THE COMPLAINTS OF THE MINIMUM RANGE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY
® l WOULD NOT GET AS MUCH AS SOME OF THE OTHERS, BUT THEY HAD ALREADY
RECEIVED THEIR SALARY INCREASE. HE RECOMMENDED THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN THE
BUDGET IS DONE, THAT COUNCIL GIVE THE SAME AMOUNT TO EVERYBODY STRAIGHT
ACROSS THE BOARD.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE STARTING SALARIES HAVE INCREASED AND NOW
THEY ARE COMPACTED. HE ADDED THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS THE HIGHEST PAID PERSON
THAT GETS THE MOST SALARY. HE ADDED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS EIGHT
YEARS, WILL BE GETTING THE SAME INCREASE THEY RECEIVED LAST YEAR, AND THE
AMOUNT WAS DECREASED FOR THE PERSON THAT HAS 15 YEARS SERVICE. HE ADDED
THAT IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST PHASE AND HE PERSONALLY
FEELS THAT THERE MAY BE ANOTHER PHASE OR TWO TO THE PAY PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT HE AND COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON RODE TO
CODRINGTON PARK PRIOR TO THIS EVENING'S MEETING AND HE WOULD NOT
RECOMMEND GIVING THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT ONE PENNY. HE ADDED THAT
THERE WAS TRASH ALL OVER THE PARK AND NO HOT WATER.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED MAYOR OUDEH WHO PUT THE TRASH AT CODRINGTON
PARK. HE STATED THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF THE PARK SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH
RESPECT FOR THE PARK TO KEEP IT CLEAN.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE PARK CLEAN
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT COUNCIL HAS A YEAR TO UPDATE THE STUDY
AND RE- COMPARE IT TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
AFTER DISCUSSION, MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE CITY MUST BE
COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
HE ADDED THAT HE DID NOT LIKE A MERIT SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS SUBJECTIVE.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT WHEN THE PAY STUDY WAS DONE, COUNCIL ASKED
THEM TO LOOK AT CITIES THAT DUNN WAS LOSING EMPLOYEES TO. HE FURTHER
STATED THAT RANK AND FILE PEOPLE MAKE UP ABOUT 85% OF PEOPLE WORKING AND
LIVING HERE. HE ADDED THAT THE RETENTION RATE IS BETTER COMPARED TO POLICE
DEPARTMENTS IN RALEIGH AND FAYETTEVILLE, AND OUR EMPLOYEES ARE STAYING.
CITY MANAGER DEAN ASKED ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JOE CAMPBELL HOW
MUCH TURNOVER DO THEY HAVE IN PUBLIC WORKS.
ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CAMPBELL RESPONDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN
VERY LITTLE.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS IN THE PLANTS WHERE
EMPLOYEES MUST BE CERTIFIED. HE ADDED THAT IF ANY EMPLOYEE WANTS TO TAKE
CLASSES TO IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS, THE MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO TAKE
THOSE CLASSES.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN IF THE PERSON THAT HAD
w BEEN HERE FIFTEEN YEARS THAT WAS IN A LOWER PAY GRADE BEEN ASKED TO MOVE
UP TO A HIGHER PAYING POSITION.
CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT ALL THE POSITIONS ARE POSTED WHENEVER
THERE IS A VACANCY. HE ADDED THAT IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN HOUSE THAT IS
INTERESTED IN THE POSITION AND IS QUALIFIED, THAT PERSON WOULD BE GIVEN THE
OPPORTUNITY BEFORE IT WOULD BE POSTED OUTSIDE. HE ADDED THAT CERTAIN
POSITIONS WITHIN THE CITY REQUIRE CERTIFICATION.
551
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED THA" THE FIRST PLAN WAS PROBABLY THE BEST,
BUT HE DID NOT LIKE GIVING EMPLOYEES A 2% INCREASE.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED TEAT THE STARTING SALARY IS ALREADY A
COMPETITIVE SALARY SO BY GIVING EMPLOYEES THE 2% RAISE, IT WILL MATCH THE
INFLATION RATE.
HE STATED THAT MAYBE COUNCIL NEEDS TO LOOK AT BUMPING THE PERCENTAGES
DOWN IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE COMPACTION PROBLEM. HE FURTHER STATED
THAT COUNCILMEMBER BASS HAS ELUDED THAT MAYBE THE ORIGINAL PLAN WOULD
BE A GOOD PLAN TO GO WITH THIS YEAR.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK 2 % -10% WAS FAIR, BUT
COUNCIL NEEDED TO BE REALISTIC TO BE FAIR.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE PRIOR COUNCIL MADE A GOOD DECISION
TO RAISE STARTING SALARIES BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITIVENESS IN THE MARKET. HE
ADDED THAT IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO GET THEM EDUCATED
AND THEN THEY LEAVE AND GO TO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED THA" COUNCIL NEEDED TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE
PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR 10 -15 YEARS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND HE WOULD NOT WANT TO HURT THEM.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE TO
APPROVE THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL OF 2 TO 10 %.
0 -5 YEARS
2%
6 -10 YEARS
4%
11 -20 YEARS
8%
OVER 20 YEARS
10%
MOTION CARRIED 4 -2.
AYES: BASS NOES: MCDOUGAL
WOMBLE ROBINSON
SUMNER
TART
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE DD NOT THINK EMPLOYEES SHOULD RECEIVE
LONGEVITY PAY THIS YEAR. THE CONSENSUS OF COUNCIL WAS TO ELIMINATE
LONGEVITY PAY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000-01.
CENTRALIZED DISPATCH
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT HE AND CHIEF GODWIN HAD MET WITH SHERIFF
LARRY KNOTT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR GARY POPE, AND COUNTY
MANAGER NEIL EMORY REGARDING CREATION OF A CENTRAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CENTER. HE ADDED THAT EVERYONE AGREED IT WOULD BE VERY COST EFFECTIVE,
BUT WOULD INVOLVE A LARGE AMOLNT OF WORK AND TAKE OVER A YEAR TO
COMPLETE.
HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE COUNTY CHARGES $1.25 PER PHONE BILL FOR E -911 AND
DUNN CHARGES $1.00, SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE STANDARDIZED IN SOME FORM. HE
ADDED THAT THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE CITY HAS
THAT THE COUNTY DOES NOT, SO ALL OF THESE ITEMS WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED
OUT.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD LACK SECURITY AND HE
DID NOT SEE CUTTING SECURITY. HE ADDED THAT HE THOUGHT COUNCIL SHOULD JUST
LEAVE THINGS AS THEY ARE.
f .�
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE CITY'S SECURITY IF
THEY DECIDE TO GO WITH CENTRALIZED DISPATCH.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED WHAT WAS CHIEF GODWIN'S OPINION ON CENTRALIZED
DISPATCHING.
CHIEF GODWIN RESPONDED THAT HE THOUGHT THAT IF THE CITIZENS COULD GET THE
SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE IT WOULD BE GOOD. HE STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE
EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER.
552
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT COUNCIL NEEDED TO REALIZE THAT
WHENEVER OUR CITIZENS TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE CITY OF DUNN, THEY NEED THE SAME
LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT THE CITY PROVIDES HERE IN DUNN.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED CHIEF GODWIN WHAT IS THE CURRENT RESPONSE TIME WHEN
SOMEONE DIALS E -911.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN RESPONDED THAT LAST YEAR, THE RESPONSE TIME WAS 3.6
MINUTES. HE ADDED THAT THIS IS FROM TILE TIME THAT THE CALL IS RECEIVED IN THE
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER UNTIL THE TIME IT IS GIVEN TO THE CAR.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD CHANGE IS
THAT WHEN SOMEONE DIALS E -911, THE PHONE WILL RING IN ANOTHER BUILDING AND
THE PERSON ON THE TWO -WAY RADIO WILL BE IN A DIFFERENT BUILDING.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED POLICE CHIEF GODWLV IF HE WOULD RECOMMEND THIS SERVICE
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN RESPONDED THAT HE WAS FOR ANYTHING THAT WOULD SAVE
MONEY AND NOT REDUCE SERVICES.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL
FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ASKED HER IF $300,000 WAS WORTH RISKING SOMEONE'S
LIFE.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE DISPATCH CENTER HERE IS NOT PERFECT
AND NEITHER IS THE ONE IN LILLINGTON. HE ADDED THAT WE HAVE THE SAME
POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS HERE AS THEY HAVE IN LILLINGTON.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED TO COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL THAT WHAT SHE
IS SAYING IS THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES CANNOT BE AS EFFECTIVE AS CITY EMPLOYEES
AND HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF THE CITY
WOULD RECEIVE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN TO MEET WITH TWO OR THREE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO STUDY AND BRING BACK TO COUNCIL.
t
�✓ POLICE CHIEF GODWIN STATED THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DIFFERENCE IN
DISPATCHING FROM LILLINGTON THAN FROM DUNN.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THIS IS A LONG -TERM PROJECT. HE ADDED THIS
WOULD NOT JUST IMPACT DUNN, BUT IT WOULD ALSO IMPACT OTHER CITIES SUCH AS
COATS, ERWIN, AND ANGIER, WHERE THE RESCUE SQUAD AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE
INVOLVED.
MAYOR OUDEH APPOINTED COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON, COUNCILMEMBER BASS, AND
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE TO MEET WITH CITY MANAGER DEAN AND POLICE CHIEF
GODWIN TO WORK ON THE CENTRALIZED DISPATCH.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TIIE GROUP TO GO TO ANOTHER
MUNICIPALITY WHO HAS CHANGED OVER AND SEE HOW IT IS WORKING. HE ADDED
THAT THE BIGGEST RESERVATION HE HAS IS THAT IF THE SYSTEM IN LILLINGTON WERE
TO GO DOWN, WOULD THERE BE A BACK -UP SYSTEM.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HE WAS ADVOCATING THAT WE DO NOT NEED
TO DUPLICATE EFFORTS, JUST COMBINE OUR RESOURCES AND PROVIDE THE BEST
SERVICE WE CAN.
MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO
INSTRUCT CITY STAFF TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION ON CENTRALIZED
DISPATCHING. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
`� I i 'PAX COLLECTIONS
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT CURRENTLY, THE CITY OFFERS A 2% DISCOUNT FOR
PEOPLE THAT PAY THEIR TAXES IN AUGUST AND THE CITY COLLECTS APPROXIMATELY
$700,000.00 IN THAT ONE MONTH. HE ADDED THAT THE COUNTY CANNOT OFFER THIS
DISCOUNT, AND THEIR CHARGES FOR TAX COLLECTIONS WILL BE 1.5% OR $27,586.08 ON
OUR ESTIMATED BUDGET.
HE ADDED THAT HE HAD TALKED WITH SOMEONE AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL WHO
STATED THAT ONCE YOU GO WITH THE COUNTY, EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE TO STAY
AT THE COUNTY LEVEL. HE ADDED THAT THE COUNTY WOULD PROVIDE THE CITY'S
REIMBURSEMENT ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
553
HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE TAX COLLECTOR ALSO ADMINISTERS PRIVILEGE
LICENSES, CEMETERY LOTS, AND ASSESSMENTS; THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT
RECOMMEND ELIMINATING THIS POSITION. HE ALSO STATED THAT IF COUNCIL WAS
INTERESTED IN GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTY, THEN THEY MAY WANT TO
LOOK AT ELIMINATING THE PART -TIME POSITION IN THE FINANCE OFFICE.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED IF THE CITY IS ASKING THE COUNTY TO DO THE CITY'S
WORK.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE RESPONDED NO, THE COUNTY ALREADY PERFORMS
VALUATIONS, BILLING AND COLLECTING; THE CITY IS DUPLICATING THAT EFFORT.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THEY NEEDED TO LEAVE WELL
ENOUGH ALONE AND HE LIKED THE IDEA OF LEAVING COLLECTIONS IN THE CITY.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT HE AGREED WITH COUNCILMEMBER BASS. HE STATED
THAT IF COUNCIL WOULD LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THE CITY WOULD BE PAYING THE
COUNTY TO DO THE JOB.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT L.C. O'QUINN WITH THE HARNETT COUNTY TAX
OFFICE, GAVE HIM THE PERCENTAGE RATE OF 1.5% FOR ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE COUNTY CHARGES 1/2% TO COATS AND
ANGIER. HE ADDED THAT IF THE COUNTY WERE TO CHARGE DUNN THE SAME
PERCENTAGE AND ALLOCATE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THAT PERSON'S SALARY,
WITH THE MONEY YOU SAVE FROM THE DISCOUNTS, THE CITY WOULD ACTUALLY END
UP WITH A COST SAVINGS.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT IF THE CITY HAS TO PAY EXTRA MONEY, THE CITY
SHOULD NOT GO WITH THE COUNTY.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THIS ISSUE MUST BE RESOLVED BY THE END OF
JUNE.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE DID NOT THINK COUNCIL SHOULD DECIDE
ANYTHING THIS YEAR. HE ADDED THAT "TIE TAX ISSUE SHOULD BE FURTHER STUDIED.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO �\
DIRECT CITY STAFF TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE AND STUDY THE TAX COLLECTION
ISSUE. MOTON UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
MAYOR OUDEH RECESSED THE MEETING AT 6:05 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 6:15 P.M.
DEMOLITIONS
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TIM HOLLOMAN HAS
SUBMITTED A FEE SCHEDULE FOR HOUSE DEMOLITIONS AS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL
AND THIS ISSUE WAS PLACED ON THE JUNE 15, 2000 AGENDA.
COMMERCIAL GARBAGE PICK -UP
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HOLLOMAN HAS SENT
OUT A LETTER TO COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS STATING THAT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000
THERE WILL BE NO MORE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE PICK -UP OR BILLING AND ALL CARTS
WILL BE SOLD.
[N0N)1111L•1Mi 1 Wei *1
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT COUNCILMEMBER BASS AND COUNCILMEMBER
ROBINSON MET WITH POLICE CHIEF GODWIN CONCERNING THE CELLULAR PHONES, AND
HE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT EE WAS SATISFIED WITH ALL THE ANSWERS HE
HAD RECEIVED ABOUT THE CELLULAR PHONES; HOWEVER, HE THINKS THAT THE CID)
DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO HAVE CELLULAR PHONES. HE STATED THAT THEY WORK
UNDERCOVER TRYING TO GET DRUGS OFF THE STREET, AND THEY NEED SOME WAY TO
COMMUNICATE BESIDES A RADIO.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED THAT SHE HAD SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT ALL
THE CELLULAR PHONES. SHE STATED TFAT LOOKING OVER THE BUDGET INFORMATION,
THE CITY HAD SPENT $11,000.00 ON CELLULAR PHONES.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN STATED THAT ONLY THE PEOPLE IN COMMAND HAVE CELLULAR
PHONES. HE ADDED THAT THERE ARE "HINGS THAT CAN BE COMMUNICATED ON THE
CELLULAR PHONE THAT CANNOT BE COMMUNICATED ON TWO -WAY RADIOS.
554
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED HOW MANY CELLULAR PHONES DOES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CURRENTLY HAVE.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN RESPONDED SEVENTEEN.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL ASKED ABOUT THE PRICE FOR THE PAGERS.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN STATED THAT THE CITY IS PAYING $7.50 TO $8.00 FOR PAGERS. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT IN THE PAST, THEY WERE PAYING MORE BUT HE WENT WITH A
STANDARD PAGER AND GOT MORE PAGERS FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE. HE ADDED
THAT CELLULAR PHONES ARE PRIMARILY USED FOR SPEED.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED POLICE CHIEF GODWIN HOW MUCH WERE THE CELLULAR
PHONES COSTING THE CITY.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN RESPONDED $28.95 PER MONTH FOR EACH OF THE CELLULAR
PHONES.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE CITY COULD GET A BETTER
RATE.
POLICE CHIEF GODWIN STATED THAT AT THE TIME THE CITY PURCHASED THE PHONES,
THEY GOT THE BEST RATE AVAILABLE.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT BECAUSE MOST OF THE CALLS ARE MADE
LOCALLY, HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE POLICE CHIEF LOOK INTO PURCHASING A
LOWER RATE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE FOR EVERY DETECTIVE TO
HAVE A CELLULAR PHONE.
MAYOR OUDEH ADVISED POLICE CHIEF GODWIN TO CONTINUE WHAT HE IS DOING, AND
IF HE NEEDED MORE MONEY TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CELLULAR PHONES TO LET
COUNCIL KNOW.
SENIOR CENTER GRANT
CITY PARKS
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT AFTER ALL IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO
THE SENIOR CENTER, THERE SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $18,000 LEFT ON THIS GRANT.
HE ADDED THAT IF THE GRANT PERIOD IS EXTENDED BEYOND JUNE 30, 2000, THE CITY
HAS REQUESTED TO BE AUTHORIZED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS AS
PROPOSED BY RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON:
1. INSTALL 6' CHAIN LINK FENCE ALONG ROADSIDE WITH 2 GATES TO HELP
SECURE PARK AREA. ALSO REPAIR FENCE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
COST: APPROX. - $5,500.00
2. REPAIR BATHROOMS IN PARK AREA TO INCLUDE REPLACING PLUMBING,
PAINTING INTERIOR (TO COVER GRAFFITI) AND REPLACING BOTH STEEL
DOORS.
COST: $1,250.00
3. INSTALL WALKING TRACK TO COMPLETELY CIRCLE ALL OF PARK AREA
ALONG FENCE LINE. MATERIALS WOULD BE GRAY SCREENINGS (SAME
MATERIAL USED AT TART PARK)
COST: $4,000.00
4. PICNIC SHELTER- PAINT /STAIN WOODWORK TO COVER GRAFFITI.
COST: $1,500.00
5. INSTALL GROUP PARK GRILL AROUND PICNIC SHELTER FOR OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES (14" X 36" COOKING SURFACE)
COST: $500.00
6. INSTALL PARK BENCHES STRATEGICALLY AROUND WALKING TRACK TO
ALLOW FOR REST AREAS.
COST: $1,600.00
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INSTALL EXTERIOR LIGHTTIG AROUND THE ENRICHMENT CENTER.
COST: $2,254.35
8. INSTALL ADDITIONAL - _OUNTERS; STORAGE SPACE INSIDE THE
ENRICHMENT CENTER.
COST: $800.00
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL STATED T THE CITY HAS THREE PARKS, BUT THE CITY
ONLY USES ONE OF THOSE PARKS. SHE SATED THAT SHE RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY
START PLANNING ACTIVITIES AT THE CTHER TWO PARKS, BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT
WOULD LESSEN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.
RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON' STATED THAT CODRINGTON PARK DOES NOT
HAVE A BALL FIELD. HE ADDED THAT IF THE CITY FENCED IN THE AREA AROUND THE
PARK AND SECURED IT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE CITY COULD HOLD
ACTIVITIES THERE.
COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL ASKED IF THE SWIMMING POOL WAS OPEN.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON RESPONDED YES.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT "HE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CITY
PARKS ARE EXPENSIVE.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED IF THE CITY COULD GET IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATIONS TO SEE
IF THEY WOULD DONATE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.
DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT THE DUNN ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB DONATED
$8,000.00 LAST YEAR TO THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS USED TO PUT UP A
NEW VINYL FENCE AROUND THE PARICNG LOT, A FENCE FOR THE GIRLS FAST -PITCH
FIELD AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CIVIC CENTER.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED ALONG WITH A FEW
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SOME CORPORATIONS TO SEE IF THEY
WOULD DONATE MONEY TO GO TO ALL THE PARKS, WITH THEIR NAMES AS �\
ADVERTISERS.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT IN THE MEANTIME, HIS STAFF WOULD BE
PAINTING AND CLEANING, TO MAKE THE PARKS LOOK THE BEST THEY CAN.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING THE PARKS.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON RESPONDED THAT THERE ARE TWO MAINTENANCE
PEOPLE, THE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR ROBERT STEPHENSON, HIMSELF AND DONNA LEE. HE
ADDED THERE ARE 50 ACRES OF GRASS, ELEVEN BALL FIELDS, THE COMMUNITY CENTER
AND THE CIVIC CENTER THAT HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT IN THE BUDGET, THERE IS ONE NEW POSITION FOR A
MAINTENANCE PERSON IN THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED HE WOULD LIKE FOR TWO OR THREE COUNCILMEMBERS TO
CHECK THE PARKS EVERY TWO OR THREE MONTHS, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE RECREATION DIRECTOR AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THAT WHEN THE FENCE IS REDONE AT CODRINGTON PARK, THE
RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO POST A SIGN THAT READS THE POOL CLOSES AT A
CERTAIN TIME.
RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT HIS STAFF HAS INSTALLED EIGHT AREA
LIGHTS AT CODRINGTON PARK. HE STATED THAT HE WANTS TO MAKE THE PEOPLE IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND THE PARKS PROUD OF THE PARKS. HE ADDED THAT WITH
THE MANHOURS THEY HAVE PUT IN AND WITH THE HELP THEY HAVE, THEY ARE DOING
THE BEST THEY CAN AND HE THANKED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEIR HELP IN THE PAST.
MAYOR OUDEH SUGGESTED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT START PATROLLING
CODRINGTON PARK MORE.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THE RENEWAL FOR HEALTH INSURANCE WOULD BE
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2000. HE ADDED THE CITY'S CONSULTANT HAS CONTACTED
SEVERAL DIFFERENT GROUPS AND RECEIVED VARIOUS RATES. HE ASKED COUNCIL TO
REVIEW THE PROPOSALS BECAUSE A CHANGE IN CARRIERS MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR
AUGUST OPEN ENROLLMENT TO BE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2000.
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COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT AT THE LAST MEETING, COUNCIL DISCUSSED
MAKING CHANGES AT THE WASTEWATER AND WATER PLANTS BY MOVING ONE
POSITION AND ELIMINATING ANOTHER POSITION.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF PROPOSALS. THE MOST
IMPORTANT PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO MAKE THAT PARTICULAR JOB A DEPARTMENT
HEAD LEVEL. HE ADDED THAT THE EMPLOYEES AT THE PLANTS FELT THERE WERE TOO
MANY LEVELS OF SUPERVISION.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN TO SUBMIT A FORMAL PROPOSAL
TO COUNCIL CONCERNING THE PLANTS.
mss`
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS ON THE ABC BOARD AND HE WANTED TO LET THE
COUNCILMEMBERS KNOW THAT THE ABC BOARD HAD A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY THIS
YEAR, AND THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THE CITY $10,000.00.
CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT IF ANYONE WANTED TO RIDE TO TOWN HALL DAY
ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, TO MEET AT CITY HALL AT 2:15 P.M.
HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD PREPARE A BUDGET RESOLUTION AND HAVE IT OUT
TO THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ON JUNE 14, 2000.
WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, KXYOR OUDEH ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT
7:05 P.M.
V V
JOE H. ALLEY, CMC
CITY CLERK