090120wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
September 1, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, September 1,
2020, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney
Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Due to COVID-19 this meeting was not open to members
of the public to attend in person however, citizens and staff were provided options to listen to the
meeting live. Only County staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to speak on scheduled
agenda items were in attendance, stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the
recommended social distancing of six feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law
and prudent public health practices.
Members present:
Staff present:
Howard Penny, Jr., Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Penny called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
Invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
Sheriff's Office requests approval to unfreeze and fund two deputy positions (# 1178
& # 1179) and one Administrative Assistant position (# 1124) effective September 1,
2020. Total funding for these positions is $ 108,200. These three positions were
frozen and unfunded as part of the FY 2021 budget.
Harnett Regional Water requests award of bid to Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.,
Greenville N.C., in the amount of $13,832,304 for an advanced metering
infrastructure procurement and installation contract. This is the primary vendor
for the Harnett Regional Water Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.
y Harnett County Emergency Services requests approval to utilize Compliance
Engine, at no cost to the County, to track and drive fire code compliance, reduce
false alarms and provide a safer community.
➢ Proposed revisions to Rule 31. Appointments of the Rules of Procedures of the
Harnett County Board of Commissioners.
y Possible lease for Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action at the Shawtown
Community Development Center.
September 1, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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➢ Coronavirus Relief Funds (CFR) Update
➢ County Manager's Report:
- September 8, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Closed session
➢ Adjourn
Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats requested approval to unfreeze and fund two deputy
positions (# 1178 & # 1179) and one Administrative Assistant position (# 1124) effective
September 1, 2020. He said the total salary for these positions is $ 108,200. He noted the three
positions were frozen and unfunded as part of the FY 2021 budget. Mrs. Stewart noted the total
cost for the three positions; including salaries, uniforms, equipment, vehicles, etc. would be
approximately $165,000 for 12 months however the Sheriff may already have vehicles and the
salaries will be pro -rated for 10 months. Commissioners will consider approval of this request
during their upcoming regular meeting. Sheriff Coats also provided a brief update on CALEA
and noted the Sheriff's Office is getting the first car ready for the Citizens on Patrol Program.
Steve Ward, Director of Harnett Regional Water, presented for consideration the award of bid
to Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., Greenville N.C., in the amount of $13,832,304 for an advanced
metering infrastructure procurement and installation contract. Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. will
be the primary vendor for the Harnett Regional Water Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Project. He briefly reviewed the bid process explaining staff's recommendation to award the bid
to the second lowest bidder. Mr. Ward noted the Harnett Regional Water Advanced Metering
Infrastructure Project Ordinance, totaling $13,887,945 and funded with HRW Reserves, was
approved on May 18, 2020. Mr. Ward listed numerous benefits resulting from the 2 '/2
year project and responded to questions from commissioners.
Mr. Ward also noted the upcoming request for consideration of the award of bid to MeterSys out
of Raleigh, N.0 in the amount of $642,931 for an advanced metering infrastructure program
management contract. MeterSys will be the primary consultant for the Harnett Regional Water
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project. Commissioners will consider approval of award of
bid for both vendors during their upcoming regular meeting.
Harnett County Emergency Services Director Larry Smith and Fire Marshal Rodney Daniels
requested approval to utilize Compliance Engine which is an internet based tool designed to help
track and drive code compliance, reduce false alarm activity, and provide a safer community.
Mr. Daniels explained that it provides a secure cloud environment in which third party
contractors that inspect, test, and maintain fire protections systems, can submit their reports via
Brycer's web portal direct to Harnett County Fire Marshal's Office, facilitating a more efficient
review, tracking, and follow-up process with occupants to correct deficiencies and maintain
systems. He said the Compliance Engine compiles an accurate aggregation of data around which
September 1, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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buildings have what types of systems, when they were last tested, and if there are any open
deficiencies that could jeopardize their successful deployment in the event of an incident. Staff
believes with Compliance Engine, Harnett County Fire Marshal's Office will be better equipped
to do more with less in their mission to drive 100% code compliance. Mr. Daniels said
utilization of this service would be at no cost to the County as fees are paid by 3rd party
contractors. Commissioners will consider approval of this contract during their upcoming
regular meeting.
Staff Attorney Thomas Royer reviewed proposed revisions to Rule 31. Appointments of the Rules
of Procedures of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. Staff noted the majority of
proposed changes are to reflect current practice. The Board talked about allowing those who live
and work in Harnett County to serve on boards and committee. Discussions continued and
additional clarification was suggested. Commissioners will consider approval of revisions to Rule
31. Appointments during their upcoming regular meeting.
Assistant County Manager Brian Haney presented a possible lease for Johnston Lee Harnett
Community Action at the Shawtown Community Development Center. He reported that
Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Action received CARES Act to provide child and family
counseling services and housing assistance for homeless individuals and/or families in Harnett
County and is in need of a temporary location to provide such services. Mr. Haney noted the
additional space would be for the purpose of this CARES ACT programming only. He
responded to questions and concerns from commissioners. Mr. Haney noted that the
commissioner's intent to lease County property must be noticed in the paper for 30 days prior to
approval and would come back before the Board for consideration on October 5, 2020.
Mr. Haney provided an update on the Coronavirus Relief Funds. He also said displaced CRF
funds could be used towards effort to enhance broadband throughout the county. Mr. Haney and
Harnett County Information Technology Director Ira Hall talked about the possibility of putting
WiFi hot spots for internet access up throughout the County. Mr. Hall responded to questions
regarding the WiFi hot spot project saying it would be a rapid process to allow more access to
the internet for citizens. Mr. Hall estimates one access point could cost between $500 to $1000
with additional monthly internet costs. Commissioners were in favor of moving forward with
this project.
Mr. Haney also noted that the County has received requests for CRF funds from Fire and EMS
departments in the County. Mr. Smith said the County has been providing PPE to Fire and EMS
departments in the County as requested as well as submitting requests for reimbursements.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft September 8, 2020 regular meeting agenda. She and Mrs.
Honeycutt recommended that the Board not fund the three unfrozen positions in the Sheriffs
Office up front at this time because the Sheriff's Office has money in their lapse salaries
from other vacant positions.
September 1, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Commissioners reviewed applicants to serve on boards and committees. Vice Chairman Miller
requested to table the application for appointment to the Nonprofit Committee to represent
District 5 until he can have a discussion.
Commissioner Springle asked the Board to consider reappointing him to serve an additional
four-year term on the CCCC Board of Trustees which would expire June 30, 2025.
Commissioner Springle was previously appointed to serve a four-year term on the CCCC Board
of Trustees expiring June 30, 2021. Commissioners will consider approval of this reappointment
during their upcoming regular meeting.
Commissioner Springle shared information with the Board from the Mid -Carolina COG's Area
Agency on Aging Regional Aging Services Plan.
Mrs. Stewart said the September 21, 2020 regular meeting of the Harnett County Board of
Commissioner will need to be open to a limited number of the public to accommodate two
rezoning public hearings scheduled. She also noted that the Harnett County Tax Department will
reopen their office to the public for limited hours starting September 1, 2020. Last. Mrs. Stewart
said the Health Department received several awards in the Daily Record "Best Of'.
Mr. Price said Harnett County General Services is interested in applying to the State's Small
Cities Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for additional COVID-19 funds
that are available. He said application for the funds requires two public hearings. Mr. Price said
staff hopes to use the Mid -Carolina COG to help administer these funds. It was the consensus of
the Board that staff move forward with the application and noticing a public hearing to be held
on September 21, 2020.
Vice Chairman Miller said we have some sewer capacity issues on Hwy 87 that he would like to
discuss with the new Fort Bragg Garrison Commander. He also asked if the Board would like to
meet with a real estate developer to hear his ideas for that area.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss certain economic
development matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-
318.11(a)(3). Vice Chairman Miller seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Springle moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Miller moved to adjourn ting at 11:33 am. Commissioner Johnson
secon• - d the motion which passed
and Penny, Jr., Cha'
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t Regina eler, Clerk
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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