Minutes 09-10-2019 SpecialEM
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present: Mayor Oscar N. Harris, Mayor Pro Tem Frank McLean, Council
Members Buddy Maness, Dr. Gwen McNeill, Billy Tart, Chuck Turnage and Dr. David L. Bradham.
Alsopresent: City Manager Steven Neuschafer, Assistant to the City Manager Mathew Boone, Planning Director George
Adler, Parks and Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Administrative Support Specialist Connie Jernigan and City Clerk
Tammy Williams. Guests recognifed by Mayor Harris: Emily Weaver with The Daily Record
INVOCATION
Mayor Harris opened the meeting at 3:00 p.m., gave the invocation and led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVAL
Motion by Council Member Maness and second by Council Member McNeill to adopt the September 10, 2019 meeting
agenda as presented. Motion unanimously approved.
WORKSESSION.
To hear information on Environmental Enhancement Grant application for a proposed nature park in the
Hannah's Pond and Stoney Run corridor
City Manager Neuschafer reported that the staff has met with Adam Carter and Wesley Johnson representing Wetland
Solutions LLC twice on this proposed project. The Council did agree to send a letter of intent to apply at the August 13,
2019 meeting and that letter was submitted.
Mr. Johnson presented information on applying for an Environmental Enhancement Grant through the North Carolina
Attorney General's office. They proposed that the City apply for a $500,000 grant for a nature park within the Stoney
Run corridor between US 301 and I-95, which also encompasses Hannah's Pond. The potential overall project area could
constitute around 120 acres of preserved natural area to include over a mile of walking trails. Trails would be developed
just out of the wetlands. Mr. Johnson shared that Wetland Solutions is also working on a similar project with Harnett
County around the Dunn -Erwin Trail.
The City is one of 16 owners of the properties to be included in the proposed project. The goal is to develop a non-profit
and the idea situation would be for the property owners to donate the land to the non-profit for the development of the
nature park. If property owners want to be paid, there are additional grants that will pay for the acquisition of land.
Mr. Johnson addressed several questions from Council Member Turnage and confirmed that property owners have not
been contacted as they did not want to cause confusion that this was a city project until the meeting of the council. The
project was brought to the forefront by Wetland Solutions due to the no -match giant opportunity through the Attorney
General's office. The deadline for this grant is September 24, 2019 and Mr. Carter and Mr. Johnson will be attending a
workshop to learn more about the grant on September 11, 2019. Mr. Johnson confirmed that a non-profit has not been
formed yet and that is why the City is needed to apply for the grant.
Council Member Maness asked about the liability of the dam on Hannah's Pond. Currently, that liability belongs to the
property owners. Mr. Johnson replied that the project proposes that the dam be removed, which would take away that
liability and would change the dynamics of the pond. A mitigation bank is a possibility in helping make the project self-
sustaining. The $500,000 grant is expected to fulfill the dam removal and initial vegetative adjustments to the project
area. Removing the dam will not take away the water but the plan is to establish natural pools of water for recreational
canoe and kayak use. The project would help with flood events as it would not be just a straight surge of water through a
narrow dam, but serpentine stream beds to slow the flow of the water.
Council Member Bradham expressed public safety and future liability concerns for the City and the potential expenses
involved in maintaining the park in the future. The project is projected to be done in phases with the first phase being the
removal of the dam. City Manager Neuschafer confirmed that police protection will be handled the same way as the
Dunn -Erwin Trail with the Sheriff's Department handling those properties outside the City limits.
Mr. Johnson shared that the project originated from their standpoint with the City's need to handle drainage issues.
Mayor Harris shared that he felt that the Council's concerns were the sustainability of the project and the future liability
and costs associated with public safety. The benefits are there but the timeline and all the unanswered questions are the
biggest concerns. He further expressed concerns that even if the project is transferred to a non-profit from the City that
the City might still be held liable for any future problems with the project.
Council members expressed that the concept for the nature park is a very good idea and plan but due to the timeline and
the unknown questions, along with the need to bring property owners to the table; the grant application should be delayed.
Mr. Johnson shared that even if this grant is not pursued by the City, Wetland Solutions LLC plans to continue to work on
this project and investigate future grant options. He pointed out that other opportunities are available and the Council's
feedback is valuable to the process of this project. Council members further extended their gratitude to Mr. Carter and
Mr. Johnson for their efforts.
With no further business to discuss, motion by Council Member Maness and second by Council Member Bradham to
adjourn the meeting at 4:07 p.m. Motion unanimously approved.
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