Minutes 06-09-2020Dunn City Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
7:00 p.m., Dunn Municipal Building
Minutes
PRESENT: Mayor William P. Elmore Jr., Mayor Pro Tent Chuck Turnage, Council Members J. Wesley
Sills, April Gaulden, Frank McLean, Billy N. Tart, and Dr. David L. Bradham. Notice, relating to the Special
Meeting Conditions, is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #1.
Also present: City Manager Steven Neuschafer, Assistant City Manager Mathew Boone, Finance Director Jim
Roberts, Chief Building Inspector Steven King, Executive Assistant Connie Jernigan, City Attorney Tilghman Pope,
and City Clerk Tammy Williams. Participating via WebEx: Planning Director George Adler and Chief of Police
Clark White.
CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION
Mayor Elmore opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and Reverend Danielle Maynor, Fine Arts and Senior Adults
Pastor at Gospel Tabernacle Church gave the invocation. Afterwards, Mayor Pro Tern Turnage led in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVAL
Motion by Council Member Sills and second by Council Member Bradham to adopt the June 9, 2020 meeting
agenda with the following changes:
Agenda Items Added:
- Formation of Beautification Committee
- Formation of IT Committee
Motion unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The Public Comment Period was opened by Mayor Elmore at 7:05 p.m. Having no comments, the Public
Comment period was closed.
CONSENT ITEMS
- Approval of the minutes of the May 12, 2020 City Council Meeting.
- Approval of the minutes of the May 19, 2020 Special Called Meeting - Budget Work Session
- Renew MOU regarding SRO at Harnett Primary and Wayne Avenue Schools on the same terms and
condition beginning July 1, 2020.
- Approval of Resolution declaring the Badge and Service Weapon carried by Chief Chuck West Surplus and
Awarding to him on his Retirement. A copy of the Resolution (R2020-10) is incorporated into these minutes
as Attachment #2.
- Proclamation - State of Emergency - COVID-19, Amendment 1 - A copy of the Proclamation (P2020-09) is
incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #3.
- Approval of the Temporary Blocking of Alley behind the Stewart Theatre for August 16 and August 21,
2020 Concerts.
- Approval of Budget Amendments #8 through #16 amending the City's FY2019/2020 Budget by
$627,676.23. A copy of BudgetAmendments (BA08, BA09, BA10, BA11, BA12, BA13, BA14, BA15, and BA16)
is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #4.
Motion by Council Member Bradham and second by Council Member McLean to approve all consent items.
Motion unanimously approved.
Mayor Elmore read the Proclamation to be presented to retired Chief West Mayor Elmore further
commended Interim Chief Clark White on how the peaceful walk was handled in the City with around 300
people participating.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR DECISION
Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget
Public Hearing regarding the Proposed Budget. The Public Hearing was duly advertised on May 29, 2020 and
promoted on the City's Website and Facebook page and the Budget was made available for public inspection.
Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 p.m. With no written or oral comments, the Public Hearing
was closed.
Motion by Council Member Tart and second by Council Member Bradham to adopt the Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Budget as presented to include the Budget Ordinance and Fee Schedule. Motion unanimously approved. A
copy of the Budget Ordinance and Fee Schedule (02020-09) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment
#S.
Ordinance to Demolish House -100 Poppy Street
Public Hearing regarding the consideration of Ordinance to Demolish House at 100 Poppy St. The Public
Hearing was duly advertised on May 29 and June 2, 2020. Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing at 7:12
p.m.
m
Chief Building Inspector King has conducted inspections at 100 Poppy St and based upon his observations,
the structure is unsafe and has been condemned in accordance with G.S. §160A-426. The property was also
found 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. King has
received no contact from the property owner and he said that several notices were sent out to various
addresses received from the County. With no additional comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
After discussion, motion by Council Member Bradham and second by Council Member Tart to adopt the
ordinance directing the Building Inspector to proceed with the demolition of the dwelling located at 100
Poppy St, PIN#: 1517-14-4010.000. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of the Ordinance (02020-10) is
incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #6.
Ordinance to Demolish - 707 S King Ave
Public Hearing regarding the consideration of Ordinance to Demolish House at 707 S King Ave. The Public
Hearing was duly advertised on May 29 and June 2, 2020. Mayor Elmore opened the Public Hearing at 7:18
p.m.
Chief Building Inspector King has conducted inspections at 707 S King Ave and based upon his observations,
the structure is unsafe and has been condemned in accordance with G.S. §160A-426. The property was also
found 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. King told
Council that the owner had tried to get a contractor to demolish the dwelling as she wants it removed. With
no additional comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage and second by Council Member Gaulden to adopt the ordinance directing
the Building Inspector to proceed with the demolition of the dwelling located at 707 S King Ave, PIN#: 1516-
45-2783.000. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of the Ordinance (02020-11) is incorporated into these
minutes as Attachment #7.
Ordinance to Demolish - 911 Fairground Rd
Chief Building Inspector King has conducted inspections at 911 Fairground Rd and based upon his
observations, the structure is unsafe and has been condemned in accordance with G.S. §160A-426. The
dwelling was also found dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or public safety and is a nuisance in
violation of G.S. §160A-193 and the formal owner of the property failed to comply with the Building
Inspector's order. The property was purchased by Lloyd Tom Hamilton prior to the initial Public Hearing
held in February, 2020. The Ordinance was tabled by City Council at the February Council meeting until the
April 14, 2020 Council meeting (approximately sixty days) to allow Hamilton time to make repairs and
improvements to the dwelling. Item was tabled again at the April 2020 Council meeting to allow for an
additional sixty days. King shared with Council that the owner has continued to make improvements, he
feels that the progress and repairs will continue and recommends an additional extension. Discussion
followed on voting against the ordinance. Attorney Pope informed Council that if the ordinance was voted
against and the progress stopped, King would have to begin the process all over again.
Motion by Council Member Tart and second by Council Member Bradham to table the Ordinance to Demolish
- 911 Fairground Rd for an additional sixty days to allow Mr. Hamilton additional time to make repairs.
Motion unanimously approved.
Ordinance to Demolish - 610 E Pope St
Chief Building Inspector King told Council that the Public Hearing was held at the May 12, 2020 Council
Meeting and the Ordinance to Demolish was tabled until the June meeting. He has conducted inspections at
610 E Pope St and based upon his observations, the structure is unsafe and has been condemned in
accordance with G.S. §160A-426. He also found the dwelling dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or
public safety and the owner of the property has failed to comply with the Building Inspector's order. King
stated that his only contact has been with Leon Davis, who was planning to attend tonight's meeting. Council
Member McLean said the property owner has been sick and was unable to attend but she wanted additional
time to sell the property as is.
After further discussion, motion by Council Member Tart and second by Council Member Sills to adopt the
ordinance directing the Building Inspector to proceed with the demolition of the dwelling located at 610 E
Pope St, PIN#: 1516-74-1768.000. Motion carried 5-1 with Council Member McLean opposed. A copy of
the Ordinance (02020-12) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #8.
Ordinance to Demolish - 700 Lincoln
Chief Building Inspector King told Council that Ordinance to Demolish (02019-17) was adopted by the City
Council on November 12, 2019 with motion allowing the new owner, Jada S. Wiggins, 90 days to bring the
property up to code. King reported that the property owner started out strong and then slowed. Progress
has picked up since he contacted the owner in March and they have passed a couple of inspections. Council
Member Bradham asked Frank Taylor, who was there representing the owner, how much time was needed to
finish the repairs and his response was possibly 60 days. King is looking direction from the Council on which
way to proceed.
After discussion, motion by Council Member McLean and second by Mayor Pro Tern Turnage to table for 60
days and to bring back before the Council for review. Motion carried unanimously.
Tyler to Tart Park Pedestrian Trail
Planning Director Adler presented the Pedestrian Route as proposed by staff. The trail is 1.7 miles and
touches four areas of interest to include the Rail Trail, Tyler Park, Downtown and Tart Park and also goes by
the Library. This proposed trail incorporates a portion of the City's Pedestrian Plan. We are currently
working on applying for an additional grant to update the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. He is looking for a
consensus on this proposed trail and will then begin working on a detailed cost analysis for signage, markings
and sidewalk improvements to make the trail continuous and pedestrian friendly. Mayor Pro Tem Turnage
mentioned concerns crossing Cumberland at Wilson with the existing traffic light pattern and suggested
NCDOT be contacted to see if a crosswalk could be incorporated there. Due to traffic concerns, Council
Member Tart recommended a temporary route staying on Wilson until sidewalks are put in on Clinton. He
proposed to continue on Wilson to E Godwin and then crossover Clinton at Dominos. City Manager
Neuschafer added that the City is hoping to use a state program to assist with the funding of the sidewalks on
Clinton by incorporating that as part of the trail. Council Member Bradham asked when the trail can be
usable. Neuschafer said that the trail can be marked with signage and markings and be a usable trail by the
fall with improvements to be made when possible. Consensus from Council was to move forward with the
proposed route.
Landscape Maintenance Contract - Reject Bid and Approve Extension of Current Contract
Assistant City Manager Boone told Council that the City advertised its Landscape Maintenance Contract
through an RFP process, in which only one bid was received. The cost to maintain our current scope of work,
while also adding various new sites, increased the cost higher than originally budgeted. The scope of work
has been revised and reduced to extend the current contract with Old Mill Stream for one year, with various
areas of maintenance to be handled by our Public Works Department. Old Mill Stream will continue to
maintain a large portion of the landscape services currently provided, including cemeteries. The current
Covid-19 pandemic most likely hindered our ability to receive an adequate amount of responses. The RFP will
be advertised in early 2021 in hopes of receiving a larger turnout. The cost to extend the contract is covered
in the FY2020-2021 Budget.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage and second by Council Member Bradham to reject the current Landscape
RFP bid and approve a one year extension of Old Mill Stream's current contract at a reduced scope to the
amount of $182,000 beginning July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
Advisory Board Appointments
Mayor Elmore announced that he was appointing Sadie McLamb to the Dunn Housing Authority for an
additional term ending June 30, 2021.
Discussion followed concerning the appointment to the ABC Board including Mayor Elmore's suggestion to
increase the number of board members from 3 to 5.
After much discussion and after Attorney Pope confirmed that no active motion is on the floor, motion by
Council Member Sills and second by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage to table the appointment to the ABC Board until
the July Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage and second by Council Member McLean to appoint Claudell Brown to
another term ending June 30, 2023 on the Planning Board. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage and second by Council Member Bradham to appoint Dava Anderson and
Ogo Okpala to the Library Board of Trustees with term ending June 30, 2023. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Council Member Tart and second by Council Member Gaulden to appoint Mary Ann Fairley to the
Cemetery Advisory Board for term ending June 30, 2023. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Elmore acknowledged that there are openings on the Cemetery and Parks and Recreation Advisory
Boards and encouraged Council to reach out in the community to assist in filling these positions.
Council Goals/Reports
City Manager Neuschafer reviewed the Goals and Objectives Reports provided by the staff. He further
updated Council on the Dog Park. He told Council that a visual and bids on fencing should be available by the
next meeting. Sunflowers have been planted and water tap has been provided by BIT Construction as a
donation to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Turnage asked if there could be naming rights for the Dog Park. City
Manager Neuschafer said that naming rights could be incorporated into the project like at Tyler Park. He also
said that a lot of the work for the Dog Park is still going to be done by the City staff - Public Works
department
Formation of Beautification Committee
Council Member Sills shared that in an effort to get more citizens involved in the City, he is proposing that the
City establish a Beautification Committee. He is asking that the City staff put together a document to establish
this committee and bring to the Council at the July meeting for review and consideration. Mayor Pro Tem
Turnage suggested the committee have a well-defined purpose. Council was in consensus to research and
bring information to the July meeting.
91
Formation of IT Committee
Council Member Sills further recommended a committee made up of IT specialists to assist staff with the
City's IT needs. Consensus of the Council was that this committee was not needed at this time.
Administrative Reports
City Manager Neuschafer updated Council on City's response to Covid-19. Library is looking at opening the
end of the month and it will probably be after the fourth of July before the remainder of municipal offices are
open depending on conditions at that time. He also reported that plans for the renovations to City Hall -Police
Locker Rooms are currently being reviewed by the Planning Department.
Finance Director Roberts provided the following Financial Report for the period ending May 31, 2020:
• General Fund, as of May 31, 2020, is at $3,807,431 and $2,360,862 in the (NCCMT Term Account) Water -
Sewer Fund. Through May of 2019, $3,827,533 was available in the General Fund and $2,315,884 in the
Water and Sewer Fund.
• Taxes for the 2019 year are for all intents and purposes complete. To -date, $4,183,387 in property taxes,
or approximately 99% of our expected tax income, has been collected.
• Sales Tax Revenue through March is $1,823,469 or 82.4% of our total expected income.
• Utilities Sales Taxes are reported quarterlywith total received to -date at $525,935.
• Building Permit Fees for the month of May were $6,506 for a total collected for the year of $119,459 or
149% of budget
• Water and Sewer Revenues for the month of April were $446,866, with total collected $5,208,758 or
93.13% of budget Year to -date in 2019 was $4,336,763.
• Expenditures are at $10,246,598 or 88.4% of budget in the General Fund. Expenditures for the Water
and Sewer are at $5,298,708 or 84.9% of budget The benchmark for this period is 92% of budget
Mayor Elmore acknowledged receipt of the Administrative Reports included: Communications/Public
Information, Planning and Inspections Report, Public Works Report, Public Utilities Report, Parks and
Recreation Report, Library Report and Police Report
Announcements/Information
Mayor Elmore announced upcoming events and activities.
Motion by Council Member Bradham and second by Mayor Pro Tern Turnage to enter a Closed Session for the
purpose to instruct the staff concerning the negotiation of purchasing real property [N.C.G.S. 143-
318.11(a)(5)]. Motion unanimously approved.
Mayor Elmore recessed the meeting at 8:42 p.m. for the Closed Session.
The Council Meeting was reconvened. With no further business to discuss, motion by Council Member
Bradham and second by Council Member Gaulden to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. Motion unanimously
approved.
GORPp 2 William P. Elmore Jr.
®o �T� Z Playor
Attest:
0% SEAL
e
Tammy Williams
City Clerk
\l