03-20-2018373
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Budget Retreat/Planning Session on Friday, March 20, 2018 from
8:30 a.m. —4:10 p.m. at the Dunn Community Building.
Council Present: Mayor Oscar N. Harris, Mayor Pro-Tem Frank McLean, Council Members Buddy Maness, Dr.
Gwen McNeill, Billy Tart, Chuck Turnage, and Billy Barfield.
Staff Present: City Manager Steven Neuschafer, City Clerk Jennifer Fortin, Public Works Director Dean Gaster,
Assistant Public Works Director/Streets Vince Washington, Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Police Chief
Chuck West, Chief Building Inspector Steven King, Human Resources Director Anne Thompson, Librarian Mike
Williams, Finance Director Mark Stephens, Executive Assistant Blake Lassiter, and Daily Record
Editor/Reporter Lisa Farmer.
Also Present: City Engineer Randy McNeill.
Absent: City Attorney Tilghman Pope
Mayor Harris opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
Mayor Harris welcomed everyone. Mayor Harris stated we are here to listen to one another and see what we
think is best for the City, establish a plan, and the work the plan.
Invocation — Mayor Harris gave the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was repeated.
MID -YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT FY 2016-2017/DEBT SERVICE
Finance Director Mark Stephens presented the mid -year financial Report:
Fund Balance as of 6/30/17 (FY 2016-2017) was $3,984,265, an increase from $3,671,268 in FY 2015-2016.
Cash/Investment balance as of 6/30/17 was $5,660,236 which is a total of the General Fund, Water & Sewer
Fund and Stormwater Fund, an increase from $4,741,655 in FY 2015-2016.
Sales Tax Distribution was $1,603,327 in FY 2015-2016 and increased to $1,954,070 in FY 2016-2017.
Property Taxes collected as of 2/28/18 was $3,700,225 or 96.41% of budget as where last year property taxes
collected as of 2/28/17 was $3,714,070 or 97.23% of budget.
Sales Tax collected as of 3/12/18 was $1,270,566 or 66.00% of budget as where last year sales tax collected as
of 3/12/17 was $1,136,967 or 60.00% of budget. The benchmark for this time period is 58.33%
Utility Franchise Tax as of 3/12/18 was $540,123 or 72.68% of budget as where last year the Utility Franchise
Tax as of 3/12/17 was $552,350 or 67.57% of budget. The benchmark for this period is 75.00%. (This tax is
subject to weather variations because it is based off of everyone's electric bill and natural gas. If there is a mild
winter or cool summer it can really affect that number.)
Water/Sewer Revenue as of 2/28/18 was $3,034,895 or 63.90% of budget as where last year the Water/Sewer
Revenue as of 2/28/17 was $3,100,640 or 68.90% of budget. The benchmark for this period is 66.67%.
General Fund expenditures as of 2/28/18 were 63.08% of budget
Water/Sewer Fund expenditures as of 2/28/18 were 62.60% of budget
Benchmarks for this time of year is 66.67%.
Outstanding Items for FY 17/18
• Paving
• USDA Cars/Trucks
• FEMA Reimbursements
• DOT Reimbursements Dunn -Erwin Road
General Fund Debt Service
We added the two (2) approved USDA loans and we will start paying on those in FY 2018-2019. Tart Park and
the PK Vyas Center will overlap in FY 2019-2020.
Mayor Harris noted there are still commitments coming in on Tyler Park in an annual basis. We also have
money coming in from Harnett Training School and the Downtown Dunn Development Corporation from the
downtown revitalization tax assessed on the property owners. We are still trying to get $600,000 from the
Legislature to help with the Tart Park renovations. We also have not approached private businesses as to
naming rights for Tart Park.
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Council Member Maness inquired as to what the max percentage would be on the debt service load
Finance Director Stephen stated we do not want to be above $1 million dollars as we want to stay under the
10%.
Council Member Tart noted if the police vehicles have a five (5) year life span than why are we getting the loans
for seven (7) years?
Finance Director Stephens stated that on the trucks seven (7) is a good time frame. We went with USDA for the
seven (7) years instead of five (5) years to lower the payment.
OPENING REMARKS
City Manager Neuschafer gave opening remarks including the 1-95 changes and impact it will have on the City.
He also stated each department will go through and discuss what they have been doing and what they hope to
be working on the next year and other important goals they have to share.
Mayor Harris noted the Harnett Training School had its first full year as of December 31, 2017. The Harnett
Training School is at full capacity and every facility is being used as it was intended. It had a cash flow from
operations of $113,336 this past year and that is in accordance with the projections. This is a cash flow we have
not figured into our budget.
DEPARTMENT GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Planning & Inspections Department
Chief Building Inspector Steven King noted the following:
• Junk & debris citations - 140
• Weedy/vacant lot citations —323
• Overgrowth citations —104
• Junk/nuisance vehicle citations —224
• Brought into compliance —171
Removed by owner— 85
Removed by City —10
• Minimum housing inspections —51
• Demolitions-8
For 2017, $98,132.47 was billed out and $9,686.60 was received in payments.
Council Member Maness inquired about the outstanding debt.
Finance Director Stephens stated there was $286,000 in accumulated outstanding invoices for weedy lots,
demos, etc.
City Manager Neuschafer stated the City abates the nuisances because they are affecting the neighbors,
neighborhoods and the gateway into the City. There are approximately 70 open liens.
Council Member Maness stated with the rest of the Council's consensus, he would like the city Manager to
bring this action before the Council, so direction can be given on pursuing this matter and bringing suits against
the violators.
Mayor Harris stated staff needs direction to proceed after a certain amount of time.
• Building permits issues —426
• Permit fees collected - $92,177.70
• Building inspections conducted —1,212
• Plans reviewed —72
• Fire permits issued — 63
• Fees collected - $12,506
• Fire inspections conducted —270
Chief Building Inspector King stated the following goals and requests:
• Decrease time-lapse involved in clean-up of properties
• Increase funding to contract services to allow for private contractor to clean-up code violations
• Increase funding for demolition of sub -standard housing and receive bids from private contractors
Recreation Department
Parks & Recreation Director Brian McNeill stated the following accomplishments for 2017-2018:
• First World Series Championship — Dixie Angels Softball
• PARTF Grant awardee
• Growing Miracle League participation
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• Addition of adult programs
• Restructuring of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
• Continued improvement of our digital footprint
The following issues were also noted:
• Vandalism/theft of backstop netting at Tyler Park- because of the cameras we were able to pass over
the information to the Police Department in which we were able to identify a young man involved
• Safety netting- risk of foul balls hitting spectators and players on adjacent ball fields
• Tennis courts - cracking die to asphaltjoint movement and contaminant rising -(recently purchased
sealer to help seal manageable cracks to avoid outsourcing)
Recreation Director McNeill stated the following goals and objectives:
Programs
• Increase youth program participation by 10%
• Partnerships with schools, civic groups and other recreation departments
• Software
• Stronger push for adult sports - regular rotation like there is for youth sports and have 70% retention
rate of previous year's participants
• Targeting seniors- more programs and events targeting those 55+, partnering with CCCC and the
Senior Enrichment Cent, and creating programs to keep seniors in the community active
• After -school programs
• Fall - outdoor soccer, football, and cheerleading
• Winter -basketball and indoor soccer
• Spring-T-ball, baseball, and softball -(volleyball in the future)
• There is open play for youth at the gym every evening to play basketball and when
indoor soccer is done forthe season the times will be extending those times (times are
split for different age groups)
Facilities
• Increase in facility use -travel ball, Special Olympics, NC Senior Games, and Heads in Beds event
• Working with the Tourism Authority to seek and bring unique events to the area
- Clarence Lee Tart Park
• Tart Park Renovation
Awaiting RFQ responses
• Possible ground breaking as early as summer 2018 (Council approval)
PARTF Grant awarded for $350,000
$850,000 that will accounted for on debt schedule
• Fundraising
• Naming rights like at Tyler Park-5 ball fields at $100,000 per ball field and $300,000 for central
complex
• Scoreboard - pending sponsorship from Pepsi Bottling, Co.
Council Member Maness inquired if security cameras were budgeted for the park.
Recreation Director McNeill stated the cameras were included in the overall renovation cost and will be
installed when the project is complete.
C. B. Codrington Park
• Changing the historical perception by citizens
• Create an open park with a more inviting atmosphere - removal of chain link fence around basketball
court and along Burke Street and replace with a fence that is more appropriate for the neighborhood
• Resurface the basketball courts (surface has worn away creating an unsafe surface for optimal
recreational play
• The park has been unofficially adopted by the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization of Harnett County -each
spring they look for minor projects to promote beautification of Codrington Park
Doe Park
• Proposed location along Ashe Avenue along the Dunn -Erwin Trail
• Centered more around residence use
• Within walking distance of numerous neighborhoods
Council Member Maness inquired about drainage and fencing for the park.
Recreation Director McNeill stated the main concerns would be fencing and parking spaces. There would be
two separate fenced in areas. One for large dogs and one for small dogs as it is not ideal to have them together
for fear the small dogs could get hurt. I have seen the puddling and will have to speak with City Manager
Neuschafer about.
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Council Member Maness inquired about liability to the City regarding the park.
Recreation Director McNeill stated it would be at your own risk and the City wouldn't be liable but will do
further research.
Staffing
e Increase training for employees— pesticide certification, irrigation training
• There will be a need for added part-time positions to assist with program events and weekend
tournaments (site supervisors)
• As programs and events develop, there will be a need for a Program Specialist position within the
department (19/20)
Mayor Harris inquired as to where the revenue would come from when bringing in these events if the Booster
Club gets all the revenue. How do you maintain that when they control the sales and receipts?
Recreation Director McNeill stated the Booster Club handles concessions and the travel ball organization gets
the admission fees. When we have the Dixie Youth Tournament the Booster Club handles the concessions and
admission fees. The rental fees from the travel ball tournaments is where we get revenue and any other
expenses go to the department.
Council Member Maness stated if the Booster Club gets all the revenue from the concessions and admissions
and all the City is getting is field rental, how is that going to cover the expenses.
Council Member Turnage stated the Recreation Advisory Board has discussed these issues and are looking at
resolutions.
Council Member Maness stated at one time Council had requested to see what the Booster Club was bringing in
and paying out but they never provided that to us. This is something we need to look at.
Break 10:44 a.m. —10:53 a.m.
Mayor Harris stated the following:
• Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Dunn are sponsoring a non-profit luncheon on
Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. —1:30 p.m. at CCCC. They are coming to this meeting to tell
us what services there are and who provides them for the benefit of the citizens.
• On March 29, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. —1:00 p.m. NC DOT will be at the Dunn Community Building in
reference to the 1-95 renovations. This event is open to the public and sponsored by the Dunn Area
Chamber of Commerce
Public Works Department
Public Works Director Dean Gaster stated the following goals:
Safety
• Excellence in response, efficiency, communication, courtesy, innovation, and integrity
• On -going safety training — competent person, trenching and shoring, confined space entry, and work
zone flagger
Safety — Future
• Continued safety focus
• Improve in-house safety education training opportunities
Training and Development
• Continuing education
• Certification
Surface Water Treatment
• Biological Waste water Treatment
• Collections and Distribution
• Backflow/Cross Connection
Training and Development — Future
• Continue to offer quality continuing education opportunities for employees
• Continue to encourage employees to seek higher certification levels
Recruitment/Retention
• Career Awareness Fairs
• Harnett County Early College
• Triton High School
• Certification pay rate scale study
Recruitment/Retention — Future
• Summer intern program
• Competitive salaries and benefits
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• Step salary range for state certifications
Street Department "Touch" Goals
• Limbs/leaves/yard debris
• Street resurfacing/patching potholes
• Signs
• Right -of -Way maintenance
• Cemeteries
• Sidewalks
• Stormwater
• Empty lot maintenance
• Rail trail maintenance
• Condemned House demolition
• Events
Paving/Resurfacing
• Covington Lane
• Cascade Circle
• E. Best Street
• Carlie C's Drive
• Johnson Street Bridge
• E. Moon Circle
• W. Broad Street and N. Ellis Avenue
Paving/Resurfacing — Future
• Continue to implement paving projects identified in paving needs study on an annual basis
Sidewalk Improvement
• S. Wilson Avenue
• S. King Street
• General William C. Lee Museum
• E. Johnson Street
• W. Edgerton Street
Sidewalk Improvement —Future
• Continue to identify sidewalk needs and implement projects as budget allows
StormwaterSystem Rehab
• W. Divine Street headwall extension project
• Erosion repairs at road crossings
• Silt removal
Stormwater System Rehab — Future
• Large stormwater project implementation (E. Bay Street, W. Divine Street, W. Edgerton Street, and W.
Broad Street)
• Continued stormwater system rehab as budget allows
• Juniper Creek dredging project
Water/Sewer Department Goal
e To provide safe, quality drinking water at an affordable cost to our citizens; and to reclaim and treat
wastewater to a level that reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship
Updated Mapping
• Asset Inventory & Assessment (AIA) distribution system mapping project - $150,000 grant secured and
project is in process with expected completion date of Fall 2018
• AIA Grant application — collection system — did not score high enough to receive grant and are looking
at possibly doing this project in house
Updating Mapping— Future
• Collection system mapping project
• Maintain current system maps through in-house GPS/GIS work
Inflow & Infiltration Rehabilitation
• N. Orange Avenue sewer line replacement project
• Continued work toward large I & & rehab project
Inflow & Infiltration Rehabilitation — Future
• E. Broad Street 2" water line abandonment project
01-1
• Small diameter water line replacement study
• Implement small diameter water line replacement project as budget allows
• Hwy 301 South water tank
• Hwy 421 North emergency interconnection
WWTP Upgrades
• Disaster sludge transfer pumps replacement project
• Sludge holding tank mixing pump replacement project
• Return sludge pump replacement project
• Begin funded aeration rehab project
WWTP Upgrades — Future
• Aeration project completion
• Secondary clarifier addition
• Chlorine contact basin upgrade
WTP Upgrades
• Plant PLC/Control System
• Roof replacement project
• Chlorine tank replacement
• Raw water traveling screen
• Bulk user SCADA acquisition
WTP Upgrades — Future
• Generator PLC/Controls
• Filter efficiency study
• Filter rehab if needed
• Carbon feed system replacement
• Trac-vac system replacement'
• Off river storage
Source Water Protection Plan
• The Source Water Protection Program is meant to compliment the already established wellhead
protection program that has been very successful in North Carolina, and provide protection for all
sources that provide water to the public water supply systems, whether it be wells, springs, lakes,
reservoirs, or rivers
Area Wide Optimization Program
• The Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) was developed to help water systems meet successfully
more stringent regulations and achieve higher levels of water quality. AWOP is a joint program
between the EPA and states
Public Works Facility Improvements
• New facility planning and design
Public Works Facility Improvements— Future
• Construct a new Public Works facility as budget allows
Equipment Upgrades
• JCB 3CX-15 Backhoe
• John Deere 5055E Tractor
• Ford F-550 Dump Truck
• Ford F-150 Pickup Truck
Equipment Upgrade — Future
• F-650 Ford Dump Truck
• Mini Excavator
• Street Sweeper
• Leaf Vacuum Truck
• Sewer Vacuum Truck
• Tandem Dump Truck
Update — Hurricane Matthew FEMA Projects
• W. Edgerton Street stormwater project
• S. McKay Avenue stormwater project
• N. Wilson Avenue sewer project
• N. Railroad Avenue stormwater project
• Carolina Drive Sewer project
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Library Department
Librarian Mike Williams stated the following goals:
• Improve customer experience
• Increase attendance
For Children
• Add titles to check out and use in-house
• Improve summer reading program events
• Replace windows computer in children's room that is available for school assignments and to run
catalog
For Pre -Teens and Teens
• Technology for programs — more tablets, laptops and makerspace equipment
• Possible space reconfiguration
• Additional programming hours
For Adults
• Get new book sooner
• Offer programs besides book club
• Replacement computes for proctored students
For Everyone
• Replace broken chairs
• More space
Police Department
Police Chief Chuck West stated the following goals:
Bicycle Patrol
• Bicycle Patrol Unit starting with two (2) bicycles
• Bicycle Officers have double the amount of contact with the public per hour than officers in motor
vehicles
• Bicycle Officers are more approachable, visible, and available to the public
• Enhanced mobility and range of foot patrols during public gatherings and events such as Cotton
Festival, Dunn Christmas Parade, Shriner's Parade, and other downtown events
• Doubles the activity level of the officer
Paid for by the drug forfeiture money.
Police Canine Unit
• Canine purchase
• Canine utilized as crime fighting tool
• Multi -purpose canine (narcotics detection, tracking)
• Canine handler certification required
• Peripheral costs for canine support are manageable
Paid for by the drug forfeiture money
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) Accreditation - Benefits
• Better defense against civil lawsuits, can limit agency's ability and risk exposure
• Greater demand for external procedures for reviewing and handling citizen complaints
• Distrust of public authority (citizens demand total transparency)
• Less than 1/10 of 1% of the LEO tarnish the badge, but it's that 1/10 of 1% that we hear about most and
that fuels distrust of the Police and authority
• Strengthens and agency's accountability both within the agency and to the community through a
continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance and responsibilities
• Is a means of developing or improving upon an agency s relationship with the community
• Develops comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives
• Requires a preparedness program be put in place to address natural disaster or made -made unusual
occurrences (Hurricanes, floods, catastrophic disasters)
• Facilitates and agencies pursuit of professional excellence
Accreditation Timeline
• Enrollment —contact the regional manager, download and sign the forms and e-mail to CALEA staff
• Self -Assessment —the agency will have 24-36 months to complete this step
• Assessment —during this step the agency will prepare for a site -based assessment
• Award — if compliance requirements are achieved, the Commission awards accreditation
• Reaccreditation — Reaccreditation is an ongoing quality performance review of the agency
Total Cost
ME
• CALEA enrollment fee - $11,450.00
• Good for 36 months and there are no other fees until the on -site assessment
• When the department is ready to be assessed by CALEA for accreditation, prior to the end of the 36
months, a fee of $5,500.00 will be assessed and any unused portion will be refunded to the City
Council Member Turnage inquired if the accreditation covered the entire police department.
Police Chief West stated it covered the entire department including animal control.
Council Member Maness inquired as to how long the accreditation was good for.
Police Chief West stated there is an annual renewal fee of $4,000.00 after the initial three years. The annual
renewal fee if based on department size. Police Chief West stated he looked into grants but Dunn is financially
stable and the grants a primarily for municipalities that are not financially strong.
Accomplishments Since January 2018
• Organizational Restructuring
Recruiter
• Off -Duty Coordinator
• Internal Affairs Officer (Currently attending classes)
• Training Coordinator
• Audit/Evaluation of Evidence Depository
• Has not been done in many years
• Improved accountability and credibility of evidence deposited
• Seeking CALEA Accreditation
• Internationally accepted law enforcement best practices
• Increased accountability, relationship with the public
• Facilitates pursuit of professional excellence
• Crime Solvability
• Recent serious felonies solved
Crime Stoppers tips received and utilized
• Retention of Officers
• Three current vacancies (One recruit being sponsored in BLET)
• Active recruiting at Colleges and Career Fairs seeking better applicants
• Emphasis on diversity
• Animal Control Facility Inspection
• Replacement of Assistant Animal Control Officer currently in Police Training Academy
• Facility concerns and the need for re -structuring daily operations
• Dunn Citizens Police Academy (Planning Stages)
• Will involve training by all City of Dunn departments
• Improves community relations and awareness
• Police Community Relations Committee (Planning Stages)
• To serve as liaison between community and police over concerns. To serve as advocate for
programs, ideas, and methods to improve relationships between the community and the Police
Department
Finance Department
Finance Director Mark Stephens stated the following goals:
• AM] System for water meters— in the process of reviewing the RFP's
• Customer portal for water/sewer customers
• Finance software
• Maximize invest earnings
• Maintaining adequate fund balance
• Establish vehicle/machinery replacement fund
• Maintaining self-supporting operation of garbage/stormwater/water fund through rate analysis
• Impact fee study required — have spoken with consultants about this fee, still collecting fees up until
June 30th. Cannot collect further until proper fee has been established - Consensus to study
Council Member Maness stated the stormwater assessment needs to be configured that the people with the
most run-off into the stormwater system need to have the highest fees. There needs to be a pro-rata or some
type of sliding scale. The one's that create the most run-off need to share the larger burden of the fee.
• Debt -service —general fund has less than 10% of total general fund budget
• Continue to receive the Excellence in Financial Reporting
• Conservative revenue estimation
• Grant/loan opportunities
Lunch 12:30 a.m. — 1:05 p.m.
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Major Goals and Priorities from Mayor and City Council
Mayor Oscar N. Harris stated the following goals and priorities:
• Improve performance of public schools to draw business and residents to our county and municipality
• Well planned transitions of our libraries to a unified county operation will improve access to services
for all residents
• Balancing county involvement and investments in our Parks and Recreation among our towns and
unincorporated areas of county is essential to providing fair and equal services to all residents
• Municipalities should work with the county to devise a unified development ordinance and municipal
ordinance to establish requirements for development in municipalities and unincorporated areas of the
county
• Improvements at Tart Park Phase I and Phase I[— with Phase one we are attempting to get funding from
David Lewis in reference to the park
• Codrington Park— improvements and research new ideas as to what needs to be done at the park
• City wide paving project
• The accreditation of the Police Department and goal accomplishment
• Sub -standard housing
• Weedy lot collections
• Abandoned vehicles
• Hanna's Pond
• Drainage at Stony Run
• Invest more in the current employees and hire additional employees as we move forward to pursue
these items
Council Member Buddy Maness — Ward 1 stated the following goals:
Jobs and Economic Development
• Jobs for our citizens
• Industry recruitment and retainment (commercial development)
• Partnership with County government/NC Legislature/Local area Chamber of Commerce
_ • Partnerships with area Economic Development directors/agents
Schools
• Continued improvements to Dunn Area Schools and security of same
• Get Harnett County Board of Education involved and proactive in addressing issues in Dunn Schools
and ask for a plan of action and implementation benchmarks for same
• Make sure that Dunn is getting fair share of allocations from the County
Population Retention/Growth
• Study and/or analysis of stagnant growth in Dunn population based on prior two census
• Determine plan of action on increasing interest in residing/moving to Dunn
• Discuss issues that could attract more young adults and families to consider Dunn
• Aging population/senior citizen concerns —activities and programs for same
Public Awareness and Public Input
• Develop marketing plan for the City of Dunn
• Discuss additional communication options to get citizens more involved and aware of City activities,
departmental responsibilities/progress, overall input and comments
• Mailing of quarterly updates/what's going on in your City info — discussed last year
Planning and Zoning
• Continued emphasis on dilapidated/substandard housing and correction of same
• Develop plan to address dilapidated/un-kept/substandard commercial property and begin to place
— a priority on cleaning up vacant commercial sites/buildings that have become eyesores and
unattractive to surrounding areas
• Continue efforts with Brownfields Program and applying for grants to cleanup and revitalize those
qualifying sites for future development
• Controlled growth with emphasis on infrastructure impact when planning new developments
Technology
• Review types of social media the City is using and how to improve same
• Add additional social media that the younger generation is using
• Upcoming advances in water meter reading — how to inform public of advantages
• Promote City Departments and activities/ordinances/etc. on all social media
Infrastructure
• Continued paving of streets citywide (worst first list)
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• Continued repair/replacement of aging water and sewer lines (infiltration issues)
• Continued stormwater improvements — drainage issues and water run-off measures
Public Safety
• Public awareness campaign to assist with breaking and entering (homes and cars)
• Encourage more Community Watch groups and Neighborhood watch areas
• Work with Dunn Police Department and continuing public engagement activities such as Coffee
with the Cops, Shop with the Cops, Police Academy, Citizens Committee, and other ideas being
promoted by Chief West
• Increase car and foot patrols/bike patrol/walk the beat on the street in both neighborhoods and
downtown areas — high visibility is a deterrent
• Make sure our police officers have the equipment they need to perform at the level we expect
them to
Ward 1 Priorities
• Most of the City-wide priorities apply in Ward 1 as well
• Increasing number of complaints on noise issues late at night
• Code Enforcement on weedy lots and dilapidated/un-kept/substandard housing (mostly rentals)
• Drainage issues in areas prone to stormwater back up during heavy rains and storms
• Continued complaints on unsafe driving in neighborhoods (speed and not stopping at stop signs or
driving thru intersections in neighborhoods) —children more at risk after school and when school is
out for the summer —general public at risk when walking and riding books
• Have some complaints and concerns about vehicles being parked on the sides of the roads and
creating issues for people driving thru or backing out of their driveways
Council Member Dr. Gwen McNeill — Ward 2 —stated the following goals:
• All streets paved and resolve community flooding
• Attracting more businesses to Dunn and we need to offer them something
• More family activities— Movie Theater
• Improvement of the school systems
• Communicate better with the citizens of Dunn —give back to the community
• Smaller scale of festivals and activities — Community Day —Culture Fair
• Give back to the citizens of Dunn
• Events for senior citizens
• Improvements to Codrington Park, Wilkins Cemetery, and Hanna's Pond
Mayor Pro Tern Frank McLean — Ward 3
• Stop the segregation of City schools and have more diversity
• Codrington Park and Wilkins Cemetery - fund on size, understanding, and strength
• Street paving needs more attention
• Hanna's Pond
• Attract more families and businesses
• Increase tax base
• Noise complaints
• Speed limit signs
Council Member Billy Tart — Ward 4
e Street paving
• Increase housing opportunities and attract businesses to the area
• Drug activity concerns
• Substandard housing
• Junk/abandoned vehicles
• Slum housing — make landlord/home owner accountable
Council Member Chuck Turnage — Ward 5
• Voter apathy — voter turnout has gone from bad to worse
• Citizens Academy
• Speed limits on residential streets
• Use Campbell University (CU) and Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) for their expertise to
assist Dunn and receive credit for their efforts
• Stormwater drainage priorities and funding
• Public Affairs Campaign for the City of Dunn
• Inadequate internet bandwidth
• Vacant buildings with lack of information identification
Council Member Billy Barfield — Ward 6
• Street repairs and paving
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• Salary study and retention of employees
• Park improvements
• Resurfacing tennis courts and basketball court
• Impact fees
• Keep Library in with the City of Dunn
• Increase volunteering for community events
Break 2:25 p.m. - 2:34 p.m.
City Manager Neuschafer noted that Human Resources Director Anne Thompson will be the point of contact for
bringing all the comments together. We will go through and find the ones with a common thread and report
back and let you know what we think and let you know which ones we think we have influence on at the
department level and let you know if we could do this if more resources were directed towards a project.
The following work plan was discussed:
1. Improvements of back parking lot with fence at City Hall and gate at impound lot -security for the
impound lot - upgrading fence and moved fencing back to add landscaping and building improvements
such as gutters and new garage doors
2. Women's Locker Room -We do have female officer and do not have a separate locker room for them
and we are trying to find space to create one
3. Telephone System -should be in place within the next few months -working with company now
4. New security system for City Hall - putting together new security quote, some cameras not functioning
properly
5. Safe Internet Transaction at City Hall -this is for individuals to do safe transactions
6. Library consolidation -top priority for County - will consider if proposal brought forth
7. Vestibule Airlock for Library -on hold for now
8. Determined options for storage of required documents - we have been working with Harnett County IT
to consolidate paper records into electronic form
9. Hanna's Pond -this is on the list because it keeps coming up as an idea -Council MemberTurnage
would like this item removed
10. Downtown Free Wi-Fi - We have spoken with Harnett County It and it is estimated about $30,000 for
infrastructure good for 15 years
Council Member Maness noted if you have internet/cable you can use an access code from your bill and have
free Wi-Fi and use hot spots around the City- Council would like research to be done
11. Emergency Response Planning -the departments have met and are working on scenarios and how the
City would react
12. Determine cost benefit analysis for automated water meter reading system - in process
13. Vehicles -just received approval
14. Tennis courts - will cost approximately $30,000 to repair
15. Develop uses of social media for each department
16. Tart Park Renovation - Phase 1
17. Renovation of Parks and Recreation office
18. Determine whether to pursue PARTF Grant for Tart Park renovations
19. Safety Netting- important to have at fields
20. Commercial Property Maintenance Code
21. Certificate increase policy for Building & Inspections and Water/Sewer Operators- need to set up
policy for employees if a state certificate is required
22. Boarded Up Housing Ordinance - need ordinance in place to make sure owners don't keep property
boarded up
23. Business Registration Program - in place, billed out about $20,000 and have collected about 70% so far
24. Food Truck Research - no ordinance but do allow under certain conditions - other communities
promoting as part of festivals or other activities
25. E. Edgerton Street sidewalk assessment and replacement -This was a Brownfields project
26. City Wide Vision Plan/Master Plan -the Chamber would like to collaborate with the City forthis project
27. Community Development- blighted areas and minimum housing- look into block grants, partners
28. Sewer Backflow Ordinance - in process
29. Stripe City owned parking lots- in process
30. Electrical Vehicle Charging Station - complete
31. Community profile - looking at marketing materials
32. Effluent Line - after water is treated at sewer plant it is pumped back to the Cape Fear River
33. S. Lee Avenue improvements - we spoke with a particular business on S. Lee Avenue that is quite busy
and they agreed initially to partner with the City financially to improve S. Lee Avenue adjacent to their
business, but because of where DOT is on the design wit h1-95, we are going to wait and see what
changes they might make to Cumberland Street/Lee Avenue/Sampson Avenue before we move
forward with expenditures on S. Lee Avenue other than just potholes
34. Sidewalk Dining/Alcohol Downtown/Brunch Bill -continuing to study
0.0
35. Solid Waste flyers— printed and sent out in mailing
36. Citizens Academy Program
37. CALEA Accreditation
38. Street resurfacing (Maps)
39. Sign at entrance and fencing for Harnett Training School Property
40. Daycare parking lot- landscaping to be completed
41. Street Calming Policy
42. Stormwater Mapping and stormwater Fee research — research and documentation
43. Prioritize Waste Water corrective action and further requirements — research and funding
44. Prioritize Stormwater drainage projects and funding requirements— research and funding — consensus
to do study
45. Determine requirements and cost for Public Works Facility (Size and Location Map) —This would also
help with storage of mowers. and equipment for the Recreation Department
46. Aeration Project — in process
47. Intake —in process
48. Bay Street Project — in process
Council Member Maness inquired about the status of the old hospital as it continues to sit there and be an
eyesore.
City Manager Neuschafer stated that the owner cuts the grass and the windows are not boarded up. It is an
under developed piece of property. As long as the exterior maintenance is being done and you cannot get into
it with breaking into it and doors and windows are intact, there are no visible signs that there is damage on the
inside.
Council Member Turnage noted an update to the list can be given to Council by outing an asterisk by the item
and sending the list out every six months or so.
Mayor Harris noted he will be working closely with the Harnett County Mayors Association and with the City's
partners (DUMA, Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce, Dunn Area Tourism Authority, Downtown Dunn
Development Corporation, and the Main Street and Doors (Harnett Theatre), Harnett Health System. Dunn
Area History Museum, CCCC and Early College, Crime Stoppers and Harnett Community Foundation, General
William C. Lee Memorial Commission, and Campbell University.
Mayor Harris stated there is a $.02 tax the City of Dunn is putting into the schools and we are providing School
Resource Officers.
Police Chief West stated we receive funding for one officer and the City pays forthe second officer. There are
three schools and one officer covers two school that are beside each other. There have been meetings with the
schools and there is a meeting scheduled with the Superintendent to discuss the School Resource Officers.
Mayor Harris stated the lines of communication need to stay open and discuss issues and we increase the value
of our citizens.
City Manager Neuschafer thanked everyone for their participation and noted in the wrap-up section there were
proposed dates for possibly another meeting towards the end of April beginning of May and would like to have
a work session in case there needs to be a second work session. There are expenditure choices to be made for
the budget and the revenue needs to match it.
Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m
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Oscar N. Harris Mayor i
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4�ennifer M1 Fortin, CMC' "s 2'•. SEAL
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