01122016196
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at 7:00
p.m. in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present was Mayor Oscar N. Harris, Mayor Pro Tem Billy
Tart, Council Members Buddy Maness, Gwen McNeill, Frank McLean, Billy Tart, Chuck Turnage
and Billy Barfield. Also present was City Manager Ronnie Autry, Assistant City Manager Steven
Neuschafer, Public Works Director Billy Addison, Public Utilities Director Dean Gaster, Chief
Building Inspector Steven King, Planning Director Samantha Wullenwaber, Police Chief Jimmy
Pope, Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Human Resources Director Anne Thompson, Librarian
Mike Williams, Attorney P. Tilghman Pope, Deputy City Clerk Melissa Dudley, and Daily Record
Reporter Keilah Goff.
INVOCATION
Mayor Harris opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked Reverend Roy Johnson, Chaplain and Director of
Pastoral Care for Harnett Health System, to give the invocation. Afterwards, the Pledge of Allegiance was
repeated.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVAL
Motion by Council Member Maness and seconded by Council Member Turnage to adopt the January 12,
2016 meeting agenda with changes, if any, as listed below.
Agenda Items Added:
• none
Agenda Items Removed:
• none
Motion unanimously approved.
Retirement Resolution
Debbie Williams
Mayor Harris and Manager Autry presented a Retirement Resolution to Debbie Williams, in recognition
and appreciation of 25 years of service to the City of Dunn Finance Department. A copy of Retirement
Resolution (R2016-01) recognizing Debbie Williams is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment W.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mayor Harris opened the floor for a (30) minute public comment period.
Dunn Area History Museum
Mr. Mark Johnson, Vice President
Mr. Mark Johnson reported on the status of the museum. The museum have achieved the formation of the
museum by receiving tax exempt status which is 501(c)(3), appointed fifteen (15) board members, and held
a board meeting. There have already been several donations of artifacts and hundreds of photographs. A
temporary location has been established located at 511 N. Ellis Avenue as well as a website and web
address for the museum. They are continually seeking a permanent home in Dunn for the museum and
would love to have a location on Broad Street. Mr. Johnson expressed a need for help financially and also
a desire to partner with the City of Dunn for rent, utilities, and things to take care of the museum, etc. The
museum will provide and be solely responsible for acquisition of artifacts, archiving and inventory systems
and maintenance, display items and their upkeep and maintaining the museum. Also, the museum will
provide a board of directors, procedural documents, committees and volunteer staff. There will be
volunteers at the museum during regular hours, which are yet to be established; but we have people that are
already asking to do that. There will be fund raising activities to help support the museum. We already
have someone that has volunteered to lead our fund raising and he's ready to get started. On behalf of the
Dunn Area History Museum Mr. Johnson offered his sincere thanks to the council and to Mr. Autry and
offered to answer any questions from the council.
Mayor Harris acknowledged the presence of Mr. Robert (Bobby) Carr, President of the Dunn Area History
Museum and thanked him for what's been done so far in establishing the Dunn Area History Museum.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Harris closed the public comment period.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Rezoning Request RZ-07-15 WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT
Fred Mills, Sr.
PIN #1507-90-0370.000
Located in the 1000t1 Block of Erwin Road
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In reference to:
Conditional Use Permit CU -03-15 WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT
Fred Mills, Sr.
PIN #1507-90-0370.000
Located in the 1000" Block of Erwin Road
Mayor Harris read the letter from the applicant's attorney withdrawing the application for rezoning as well
as for conditional use permit. A copy of attorney letter of withdrawal is incorporated into these minutes as
Attachment #2.
Demolition of House
Dougald Robert Thomas
PIN #1516-65-7932.000
303-A S. Magnolia Avenue
Mayor Harris stated that the public has been notified that oral and written comments will be heard and
received concerning the demolition of the dwelling owned by Dougald Robert Thomas located at 303-A S.
Magnolia Avenue.
The public hearing was duly advertised on December 29, 2015 and January 5, 2016.
Mayor Harris asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak for or against the proposed
demolition.
Mr. Dougald Robert "DR." Thomas stated that he is the owner of 303-A S. Magnolia Ave. He has
continued to be in contact with Steven King, Chief Building Inspector and they're working on this issue.
He said that somehow there is a wrong address - 109 East E. Street in Erwin, which is his former office and
has been closed down for a while He's been getting mail there and he's not there anymore. It's been
changed to another address which is coming to his house where he is working out of. He didn't have the
information, he's working on it and will continue to work on it, and He just didn't have the information
Council Member Maness asked him when he closed his office at 109 East E. Street in Erwin. Mr. Thomas
responded that it has been closed for about a year and he is working out of his home.
Chief Building Inspector Steven King stated that the fact that the last few letters had been sent the wrong
address had been brought to his attention today and it has been dealt with accordingly with my staff. Mr.
Johnson has been aware the whole time as far as what needed to be done. He's come to the office several
times, we've gone over it and have done several inspections on the property. It's not quite finished but this
ordinance gives him one year to make the necessary repass.
Mayor Harris asked for clarification of the fact that if this ordinance is adopted, he would still have one
year to proceed with the repass. Chief Building Inspector King confirmed that that was correct and went
on to say that it would have to be secured and not rented for 1 year and then at the end of that year if it still
wasn't rehabbed it would come back to council to adopt an ordinance to have it demolished.
Council Member Tart said `Basically, he can't rent it for a year. If he gets it finished in six months, he can
rent it again. Chief Building Inspector said, "That's right. We're out of it. The Certificate of Occupancy
would be issued.
Council Member Barfield discussed the issue of the wrong address and mentioned the fact that he has gone
to the house and Mr. Thomas has made a lot of progress there. He also asked "How do you condemn half
of a duplex." Chief Building Inspector replied "It hasn't been condemned. It is through the minimum
housing process that they have some more time to fix it. It's not bad enough to condemn, but there are
issues with it and it doesn't meet minimum housing code."
Council Member McLean asked what repairs had been done. Chief Building Inspector replied that the last
time he had been it, the house he had repaired and replaced the floor joist and the subfloor that was very
weak in the living room and in the bath room. It's been several weeks since he's been contacted to go back
and do a re -inspection and that's all he can confirm at this time.
Council Member Maness asked if Mr. King could speak to the attachment that has been provided to the
council where a letter was mailed certified return receipt requested that post mark shows was mailed
August 19, 2015 and signed for and received by Mr. Thomas on August 31, 2015. Mr. King responded that
that's where the Notice of Hearing was sent. It was agreed that Mr. Thomas signed for it as indicated.
Council Member Maness again stated that he had notice of that notification, accepted delivery of that on
August 31, 2015 even though it went to the 109 East E. Street. He took delivery of this notification on
August 31, 2015, is that correct. Mr. King confirmed that that was correct.
Mayor Harris restated for clarification that the building inspector said that if we pass this ordinance tonight
we still have one (1) year to continue to improve the facility. Once it's improved and meets the minimum
housing code, then it can be released.
Council Member Barfield expressed concern about several things; those being wrong name, wrong address
and complaint made that was not signed by a public official. The Chief Building Inspector replied that the
occupant of the dwelling can make a complaint on then own house.
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Council Member Barfield asked "If he doesn't fix it in one year, how do you tear down half a building?"
Chief Building Inspector King replied that we haven't been successful getting in the other side. The tenant
there is pleased with her living conditions and states that there's nothing wrong with her side of the
apartment. Without some kind of complaint or the owner letting us in that side, we can't go in unless we
get an administrative search warrant with which we would have to have evidence that there are violations.
We're working with the owner to get them to fix it. Worst case is it would be boarded up and would not be
able to be rented until it meets the minimum housing code.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Harris closed the public hearings and reconvened the regular meeting
at 7:38 p.m.
CONSENTITEMS
Minutes — Council considered approval of minutes of the December 2, 2015 Special Call City Council
meeting.
Minutes — Council considered approval of minutes of the December 8, 2015 City Council meeting.
Motion by Council Member Barfield and seconded by Council Member McLean to approve all consent
items. Motion unanimously approved.
ITEMS FOR DECISION
Consideration of Ordinance to
Demolish House
303-A S. Magnolia Ave.
PIN#1516-65-7932.000
Building Inspector Brian Lockamy has conducted an inspection at 303-A S. Magnolia Avenue and based
upon his observations, the structure failed to comply with the minimum standards of fitness established by
the minimum housing code of the City of Dunn. The Building Inspector also found the dwelling dangerous
or prejudicial to the public health or public safety and is a nuisance in violation of G.S. § 160A-193.
The owner of the property has failed to comply with the Building Inspector's order and according to
N. C. G. S. § 160A-443, the City Council has the power to proceed with the demolition of this property.
Motion by Council Member Maness and seconded by Council Member Tart to adopt the Ordinance
Directing the Building Inspector to proceed with the Demolition of the Dwelling located at 303-A S.
Magnolia Avenue (PIN #1516-65-7932.000). A copy of Ordinance (02016-01) to demolish the dwelling at
303-A S. Magnolia Avenue is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #3.
Motion carried 4 -2.
Yeas Nays
Maness McLean
Tart Barfield
Turnage
McNeill
Set Date for Budget Retreat
FY 2016-2017
City Manager Autry proposed the Budget Retreat be set for Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27
at the Courtyard Marriott New Bern, North Carolina. He proposed a time to convene at 9:30 a.m. on
Friday, February 26. This Budget Retreat will prioritize goals of the City and how to accomplish them for
Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and beyond.
He explained that this is something that has been done in each of the four years that we have elections so
that the council and mayor may propose their visions for the next four years and actions that they would
like the City to be moving in that direction. Manager Autry strongly recommends this because you just
can't accomplish what needs to be accomplished in about six hours in a one day retreat that we do the other
three years of your term.
Council Member Barfield asked City Manager Autry if this retreat will this cost $8,000.00. Mr. Autry
confirmed that it would be between $8,000 and $9,000.
Motion by Council Member Tumage and seconded by Council Member Tart to authorize the approval of
the proposed Budget Retreat date of Friday, February 26th and Saturday, February 270, at the Courtyard
Marriott New Bern, North Carolina for the intended purpose as stated by the City Manager.
Council Member Barfield voiced his opposition to having the budget retreat outside the City of Dunn. We
ought to stay in the City of Dunn. There are citizens that want to come to the meetings and budget sessions
to see what we're talking about. I think it's their privilege to be able to do that.
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Motion carried 5 -1.
Yeas Nays
Maness Barfield
Tart
Turnage
McNeill
McLean
Council Member Maness stated that for the twelve years that he has served on the City Council he has
chosen not to attend any of the league meetings or any of the legislative days in Raleigh because he felt that
with the City Manager and/or Assistant City Manager attending he could be briefed on any of the things
that he needed to know that could be gleaned or picked up on by my attendance and save the tax payer the
cost of my attending. In light of this, the cost to attend the NCLM meeting in October, 2015 for two nights
lodging was $467.20 and registration fee was $425. For one person to attend, that would have cost
$892.20. Town Hall day, which is an annual event held in March. Registration fee $50 and the mileage to
go there and back $46 for a total of $96. For a council member to have attended both of those events in
2015, it cost the tax payers $988.20 for one person to attend 2 events. As far as I'm concerned, by me
electing not to attend those for the last twelve year I've saved approximately $1200 for the tax payers of the
City of Dunn by being able to be briefed by the City Manager or whoever attended on behalf of the City.
We as elected officials could go to either one of these meetings. Now, just to put it in perspective, if each
of us council members, the mayor, the city manager, and the assistant city manager were to attend these
events just mentioned that would have cost $8,893.80 for just 9 people to attend two events. We're talking
about taking approximately 20 people for a two day event on something that affect the next four years of
planning for less money than it would have cost for each one of us to have attended this event in 2015. As
far as I'm concerned, by me choosing not to attend the last twelve year, this event's already paid for.
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
AND/OR DECISION
Financial Report
City Manager Autry provided the following financial report for the period ending November 30, 2015:
• The City as of November 30, 2015 had a total cash balance of $3,740,901. $589,685 in the
checking account; $2,577,522 in the Capital Management Trust accounts; $572,424 in Money
Market Investments; and $1,270 cash on hand. Total cash balance as of November 30, 2014
was $3,181,158.
• Property Tax collections were $1,308,636 (37% of budget). Last year total property tax
collections through November 30, 2014 were $1,177,915.
• Vehicle Tax collections were $133,431 (43% of budget). Last year total vehicle tax
collections through November 30, 2014 were $125,539.
• Sales Tax Distribution total as of October 31, 2015 was $521,677 (36% of budget).
Benchmark for October was 33.33% of budget. Last year total sales tax distribution through
October 31, 2014 was $484,861. November Sales Tax Distribution will be received on
January 15, 2016 AAAAAAAAAAAA.
• Building Permit Fees were $43,982 (67.6% of budget). Benchmark for this month is 41.67%
of budget. Last year total building permit fees were $49,715.
• Water and Sewer Revenues were $2,007,166 (44.6% of budget). Benchmark for this month is
41.67% of budget. Last year total Water and Sewer Revenues were $1,962,385.
• Total expenditures as of the month of November were 43.71% of budget in the General Fund
and 34.23% of budget in the Water -Sewer Fund. The benchmark for this period is 41.67% of
budget. Last year General Fund total expenditures were 46.49% and Water -Sewer Fund were
34.85%.
Motion by Council Member Barfield and seconded by McLean to accept the Financial Report. Motion
unanimously passed
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Motion by Council Member Tumage and seconded by Council Member McLean to accept the
Administrative Reports. Motion carried unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements and/or comments were made.
Mayor Harris:
➢ City of Dunn Offices will be closed Monday, January 181h for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
➢ The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will be held on Monday, January 181h at 11:00 a.m. in
Downtown Dunn.
➢ Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC) Annual Banquet will be held at the Dunn Shrine
Center on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
➢ Mid -Carolina Council of Governments Annual Dinner Meeting will be held on Thursday, January
28, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barclay Villa, Angier, NC.
➢ The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
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Council Member Tart:
➢ Thanked the Building Inspectors for what they're doing. They're trying to clean up the city of run
down houses. Sometimes it may not seem like it, but he appreciates it. Our goal is to make the
City look better.
Mayor Harris directed the council to the packet each of them received from the Dunn Area History
Museum outlining what they have accomplished so far, what they want the City to partner with them on
and what they will do in return for that. This packet also includes the charter as well as a list of the original
board of directors.
Council Member Frank McLean:
➢ Expressed concern that when people are cutting limbs they are placing them in the street. This
could cause a drainage problem for the City. He also expressed concern regarding the time frame
in which the leaves/limbs are removed.
Mayor Harris responded that that is a big issue on the retreat agenda, to address those and the equipment
that it's going to require in order get it up faster and to keep it from going into our storm water drains.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member McLean and seconded by
Council Member Tumage to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Motion unanimously passed.
Attest:
Melissa R. Dudley
Deputy City Clerk
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Oscar N. Harris
Mayor