HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Minutes of Regular Meeting

October 17, 2005

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met Monday, October 17, 2005, in regular session in Courtroom 6, Harnett County Courthouse, 301 West Cornelius Harnett Boulevard, Lillington, North Carolina.

Members present: Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman

Beatrice B. Hill, Vice Chairman

Dan B. Andrews

Walt Titchener

Tim McNeill

Staff present: Neil Emory, County Manager

Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager

Dwight W. Snow, County Attorney

Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board

Chairman Byrd called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner McNeill led the pledge of allegiance and invocation.

Commissioner Titchener moved to approve the agenda as published with changes noted below. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

delete consideration of reimbursement resolution regarding QZAB

add to consent agenda:

- Resolution honoring memory of Alton Stewart

- Additional budget amendments

- Corporate resolution for Bank of America

Upon motion by Commissioner McNeill and seconded by Vice Chairman Hill, the Board unanimously approved the following items on the consent agenda:

1. Minutes: Regular Meeting, October 3, 2005

2. Budget amendments:

127 Board of Elections (Fund 110-General)

Code 110-0000-331.43-01 Help America Vote 1,500. increase

110-4300-410.74-74 Capital Outlay 1,500. increase

130 Carolina Lakes Spray Field Extension Project (Fund 560-“PU0501”)

Code 560-9100-431.45-80 Contingency 5,000. decrease

560-9100-431.45-74 Capital Outlay 18, 697. decrease

560-9100-431.45-01 Construction 23,697. increase

133 Health (Fund 110-General)

Code 110-7600-441.33-45 Contracted Services 32,000. increase

110-7600-441.58-14 Travel 29,169. increase

110-7600-441.60-46 Medical Supplies 109,978. increase

110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 171,147. increase

139 EMS (Fund 110-General)

Code 110-5400-420.74-74 Capital Outlay 33,962. increase

110-0000-356.30-00 Insurance Reimbursement 26,175. increase

110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 7,787. increase

140 Agricultural Center/Animal Control Project (Fund 370-“CP0501”)

Code 370-8301-465.45-01 Construction 24,330. increase

370-8301-465.60-57 Miscellaneous Expense 4,635. increase

370-8301-465.45-80 Contingency 28,965. decrease

141 Emergency Management (Fund 110-General)

Code 110-5300-420.41.11 Telecommunications & Postage 844. increase

110-5300-420.60-33 Materials & Supplies 29,271. increase

110-5300-420.60-36 Uniforms 3,411. increase

110-5300-420.74-74 Capital Outlay 35,956. increase

110-5300-420.74-75 Capital Outlay-Lease Expense 540. increase

110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 70,022. increase

3. Tax refunds and releases (Attachment 1)

4. Resolution to increase fixed asset limit from $1,000 to $5,000 (Attachment 2)

5. Authorized payment of retainer fee of $500.00 per month to tax attorney for professional services. Currently, tax attorney Billy Godwin is compensated by proceeds from forced collections. In many instances his work results in tax payments prior to court action thereby eliminating any compensation he might receive.

6. Lease agreement between the County and Richard W. Gregory for lease of 39.73 acres off State Road 1510, the former Harnett County Landfill. The property is to be used for hunting purposes. The term of the agreement is one year and the total rent figure is $198.75. Mr. Gregory has the right of first refusal to extend the lease for ten additional terms of one year, provided he is not in default of the agreement. The annual rental amount during any such extension shall be as agreed upon by the parties.

7. Authorization for Emergency Services to apply for reallocated funds from the 2003 Homeland Security Grant Part I in the amount of $12,000. The funds will be used for a Full Scale Regional Exercise which will involve Harnett, Lee and Cumberland counties as well as Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.

8. Authorization for Information Technology (IT) Department to submit a grant application to e-NC for $5,000 to support on-going e-communities projects such as connectivity, digital literacy training, public Internet access or web applications.

9. Approved revisions to the Harnett County Emergency Medical Services System Plan. The mission of the EMS System Plan is to ensure Harnett County citizens, patrons and visitors are provided the highest level of pre-hospital care in the most efficient, professional and cost-effective manner.

10. Change orders for the Agriculture and Animal Control building project as listed below. No new money for the project is required to implement the change orders.

- French drain system for unsuitable soils ($24,330.00)

- Progress Energy line relocation proposal ($4,635.00)

11. Corporate Resolution from the Bank of America which will establish an account in which the proceeds from the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) will be deposited. This resolution also authorizes the Finance Officer to conduct business on the County’s behalf. The QZAB closing will be held on October 20, 2005. (Attachment 3)

12. Resolution honoring memory of Alton Stewart, early aviation pioneer from the Town of Coats. (Attachment 4)

Commissioner Andrews announced that a dedication ceremony and open house will be held at the new North West Fire Department facility on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Commissioner McNeill moved for the appointments listed below. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Mid-Carolina Workforce Development Board

Brenda Moody for a 2-year term to expire 10/31/07

nominated by Commissioner Andrews

Harnett County Council for Women

Wendy Velazquez for a 3-year term to expire 10/31/08

Lisa L. Hopkins for a 3-year term to expire 10/31/08

nominated by Vice Chairman Hill

Mark Locklear, Senior Planner, presented a request to rezone the former Northern Harnett Rescue Department property, now owned by the County, from RA-30 to Commercial. The .75 acre property is located on Christian Light Road, Hectors Creek Township. Emergency Medical Services personnel has relocated to the new Northern Harnett Fire Department facility. The Planning Board recommended that the Board of Commissioners deny the request. Planning Department staff recommends approval. Mr. Emory provided background information regarding how the County came to own the property. The County intends to sell the property and proceeds will be given to the North West Fire Department, keeping the funds in the taxpayers’ district. Chairman Byrd called to order a public hearing on the matter and asked for comments from the public. No comments were offered and Chairman Byrd closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Hill moved to approve the zoning change request as presented. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Commissioner Titchener moved that staff be directed to develop deed restrictions for consideration by the Board prior to sale of the property. Commissioner McNeill seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Steve Ward, Assistant Director, Public Utilities, noted that all requirements have been met regarding the proposed purchase of 67.63 acres from current owner, Elizabeth T. Davis. The property is located in Lillington and is identified as Parcel ID 110650 00029 and PIN # 0650-64-1818 as per Harnett County GIS. Staff negotiated an installment financing contract and submitted an application to the Local Government Commission for the purchase of real property. A public hearing was held September 6, 2005. The loan amount is up to the principal sum of $1,500,000. Commissioner McNeill moved to approve purchase of the property. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Departmental reports were filed with the Board from Veteran’s Affairs, Emergency Medical Services and Animal Control. Mr. Emory reported on the following items:

- Public forums have been scheduled for Parks & Recreation program input.

- ReEntry program has requested funding in the amount of $25,000.

- Board members were encouraged to communicate with legislators regarding proposed

change to mental health administration funding.

- A ceremony honoring Alton Stewart’s contributions to aviation has been scheduled for

November 5, at 2 p.m. Commissioner Byrd moved to authorize a $2,000 donation to

help fund the program. Commissioner Titchener seconded the motion and it passed

unanimously.

- Chairman Byrd moved to authorize a letter from the County requesting that NC

Department of Transportation provide a road sign stating that the cut-through from

Highway 27 to Highway 55 using McLamb Road and Fleming Road is not a truck

route.

There being no further business, Vice Chairman Hill moved to adjourn. Commissioner Andrews seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Harnett County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, October 17, 2005 adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

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Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman

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Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board