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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. 549 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: $1,600.00 555 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. 556 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