062717wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
June 27, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners convened in work session on Tuesday, June 27,
2017, in the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East
Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Howard Penny, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
The following agenda was before commissioners:
➢ Campbell Agreement
➢ Incentive Guidelines
> Opioid Forum Discussion
➢ County Manager's Report:
- Motto Placement
> Closed session
> Adjourn
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Elmore led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
Amanda Bader, County Engineer, discussed a proposed amendment of reimbursement agreement
with Campbell University. She said basically Campbell University is asking the County to assist
them in building a sidewalk in order for the County to get the right-of-way needed for the Neills
Creek Park expansion. Mrs. Bader explained the new parking lot at Neills Creek Park requires
an entrance off of Hwy 210. Staff is in negotiations with NCDOT to get a driveway permit
however, conditions of that permit include adding turn lanes and no connectivity with the middle
school. Mrs. Bader said the County asked Campbell University to dedicate a right away for the
turn lanes. She stated that in return for the four -tenths of an acre requested, Campbell University
asked for help with sidewalks. Mrs. Bader noted Campbell University does not have the
authority to enter into an agreement with NCDOT so it must come through the County. She said
Campbell will fund the sidewalk project.
June 27, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mrs. Bader reviewed plans for the proposed sidewalk from the stadium to the medical school.
She noted the terrain does not lend to sidewalks and wetlands do exist. Mrs. Bader said there are
many variables and she believes the project will be very costly. She provided background on a
previous project where the County partnered with Campbell and received a $200,000
reimbursement. Mrs. Bader proposed using that $200,000 to do a survey and enter into
preliminary design and then go back to Campbell for funding. Discussions continued. Mrs.
Bader will amend the proposed agreement to include a feasibility investigation or study and
bring it back to the Board.
Mrs. Bader also noted that she spoke to Jim Roberts with Campbell University, on behalf of the
Board, and explained the Board is not willing to waive any permit fees, based on their latest
request, stressing this is a separate issue.
Debbie Taylor, CEcD, Marketing & Business Recruitment Manager with Harnett County
Economic Development, reviewed a draft of proposed incentive guidelines with the Board. Mrs.
Taylor said the proposed policy is basically the same as in the past but believes it gives
commissioners a little more leeway. She said Mr. Ernie Pearsall will present the final incentive
guidelines during the July 17, 2017 regular meeting.
Chairman Springle noted that the NCACC is asking each county Board to convene a Leadership
Forum on Opioid Abuse with all of their local elected officials for an informed discussion, to
provide an opportunity for all the local elected leaders to jointly learn about the effect of this
epidemic on county citizens, and to develop ideas that can be implemented in the county to help
reverse the trends. NCACC also provided a packet of information detailing how to host such a
forum. Chairman Springle said the information provided recognizes the public health director
should be presiding. Mr. Jeffries proposed working through Brian Haney and the Health
Department to arrange the forum. It was the consensus of the Board for staff to move forward
with this, and to include Campbell University and Sandhills Center. Discussions continued.
It was the consensus of the Board to allow "In God We Trust" to be installed on the front of the
courthouse and to fund "Harnett County" to also be installed on the front of courthouse.
Mr. Jeffries shared the year-end self-funded Medical Paid Claims Summary. He said we have a
very strong reserve with four months cash on hand for our health and dental insurance.
Chairman Springle asked if staff was applying for FEMA money for mosquito control. Mr.
Jeffries responded that the Harnett County Health Department does have some mosquito control
grants but said he would follow-up with the Health Director to see if other funds are available.
Commissioner Penny said Melody McGee with the Coats Senior Center recently contacted him
requesting $48,000 to repave their parking lot. He said the Center's insurance would not be
renewed due to damage from the hurricane. Staff noted the Board recently waived landfill fees
for tree removal at the Coats Senior Center. Commissioners asked that they work with the Town
of Coats.
June 27, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Vice Chairman Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss certain economic development matters; and
2) To discuss certain personnel matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(4)&(6).
Commissioner Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:36 am. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion, which passed unanimo
Mark B. Joh spr . Chairman
Ap`Pro'e-ao
June 27, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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