HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Regular Meeting
August 18, 2014
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 18, 2014, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present: Joe Miller, Chairman
Gary House, Vice Chairman
Jim Burgin, Commissioner
Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Staff present: Tommy Burns, Harnett County Manager
Joseph Jeffries, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commissioner Springle led the pledge of allegiance and invocation.
Chairman Miller called for additions and deletions to the published agenda. Commissioner Burgin moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Springle seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Burgin moved to approve the items listed on the consent agenda. Vice Chairman House seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
- Minutes: August 4, 2014 Regular Meeting
- Budget Amendments:
50 Health Department
Code 110-0000-334.76-25 Quality Health Improvement 2,700 decrease
110-0000-353-76.10 Quality Health Improvement 2,700 increase
51 Public Utilities – Brightwater Infrastructure Project PU1003
Code 575-9100-431.45-20 Legal & Administration 50,670 decrease
575-9100-431.45-55 Town of Lillington 10,000 increase
575-9100-431.45-73 Other Improvement (signs) 28,371 increase
575-9100-431.45-16 Construction Temple 3,200 increase
575-0000-356.91-10 Town of Lillington 14,099 decrease
575-0000-356.91-11 Reimbursements Harnett Health 5,000 increase
54 Information Technology
Code 110-4900-410.35-81 Technology Upgrade 26,000 increase
110-0000-353.49-02 Angier Technology Upgrade 26,000 increase
55 Emergency Telephone System
Code 240-5900-420.74-74 Capital Outlay – Equipment 161,708 increase
240-5900-420.33-45 Contracted Services 161,708 decrease
56 Information Technology
Code 110-4150-41044-21 Building & Equipment Rent 2,834 decrease
110-4155-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,672 decrease
110-4250-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 2,611 decrease
110-4300-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 6,515 decrease
110-4400-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 20,000 decrease
110-4402-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,288 decrease
110-4500-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 21,631 decrease
110-4500-410.41-11 Telephone & Postage 3,842 decrease
110-4600-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 850 decrease
110-4610-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 563 decrease
110-4700-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 2,609 decrease
110-4800-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 11,775 decrease
110-4800-410.41-11 Telephone & Postage 3,180 decrease
110-4910-410-44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 7,745 decrease
110-4910-410.41-11 Telephone & Postage 1,980 decrease
110-5100-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 106,412 decrease
110-5120-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 4,978 decrease
110-5300-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 7,354 decrease
110-5400-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 20,544 decrease
110-5401-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 5,140 decrease
110-5500-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,906 decrease
110-5900-420.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 2,380 decrease
110-6700-429.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,728 decrease
110-7100-465.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 3,500 decrease
110-7200-465.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 12,809 decrease
110-7300-465.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 7,197 decrease
110-7500-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 626 decrease
110-7501-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 358 decrease
110-7510-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 889 decrease
110-7550-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 2,005 decrease
110-7552-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 406 decrease
110-7600-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 57,050 decrease
110-7700-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 96,357 decrease
110-7800-441.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,758 decrease
110-8100-450.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 32,902 decrease
56 Information Technology continued
110-8200-450.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 1,477 decrease
110-4900-410.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent 456,871 increase
57 Cooperative Extension
Code 110-7300-465.32-29 Agriculture 1,653 increase
110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 1,653 increase
59 Transportation
Code 110-4650-410.32-70 Capital Assistance TDP 29,000 increase
110-4650-410.33-45 Contracted Services 42,100 decrease
110-0000-334.55-03 NCDOT Transportation Capital 13,100 decrease
60 Transportation
Code 110-4651-410.11-00 Salary & Wages Full Time 5,796 decrease
110-4651-410.21-00 Group Insurance 5,990 decrease
110-4651-410.22-00 FICA 444 decrease
110-4651-410.23-00 Regular Retirement 515 decrease
110-4651-410.25-10 Unemployment 1,020 decrease
110-4651-410.26-08 Worker’s Compensation 978 decrease
110-4651-410.30-22 Indirect Cost 6,600 increase
110-4651-410.33-45 Contracted Services 1,952 increase
110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 26,496 increase
110-0000-334.55-01 NCDOT Transportation (ADM) 32,687 decrease
64 Harnett Regional Jetport
Code 110-6500-406.74-74 Capital Outlay 25,000 increase
110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 25,000 increase
- Tax refunds, rebates and releases (Attachment 1)
- Harnett County IT Department, GIS/E911 Division, requested permission to purchase a new recorder from Carolina Recording System for $134,277.15 using sole source. The new recorder is needed as part of the VIPER Project. This is a 911 eligible expense and will be paid out of the Emergency Telephone System Budget.
- Harnett County IT Department, GIS/E911 Division, requested permission to purchase 2 additional Dispatch Console Workstations from Russ Bassett for $27,429.60 using sole source. The 2 additional consoles are needed for the Dunn 911 Center merger. This is a 911 eligible expense and will be paid out of the Emergency Telephone System Budget
- Proclamation Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2014
- Harnett County Sheriff’s Office requested permission to accept the donation of “Jessie” a Bloodhound born on 09/19/2013. This donation was made by the York County Sheriff’s Office in York, South Carolina with an approximate value of $1,000.
- Harnett County Register of Deed’s requested approval of reclassification of a Senior Deputy to Deputy Supervisor (new) and Deputy to Senior Deputy. Register of Deed’s also requests special salary adjustment of the (1) Senior Deputy, (2) Assistants (position titles will change to Deputy Supervisor) and an Administrative Assistant. There will be no need for additional money due to the closing of a previously frozen early retirement position.
- Harnett County Cooperative Extension requested permission to accept funds from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 2014 and 2015 in the amount of $2520 for conducting professional development workshops from the Better Kids Care and Tools of the Trade II training programs.
- Harnett County Extension requests permission to accept funds from the United Way of Harnett County during the FY 2014-2015 in the amount $500 contingent upon available funding for delivery of services.
- Resolution to Accept Deed for Real Property from Harnett Forward Together Committee (Attachment 2)
Chairman Miller opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing up to 3 minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes. Chairman Miller asked citizens to hold their comments regarding the proposed Firearms & Explosives Discharge Ordinance until the public hearing regarding the matter.
- Paul Long of 601 Old Buies Creek Road said a virtual charter school doesn’t work; we are going to build some schools in Harnett County, educate the children, try to bring some industry into this County and root out the problems on this Board where we have people that have one interest behind the scenes and one in our face. Mr. Long said we don’t have the kind of government that is representing the people.
- Ashley Webb of 1525 Prospect Church Road in Dunn, District 3, said she would vote for “you guys” to get out if the gun ordinance passes.
- Jerry Rivas said the Board should have moved the public hearing to a venue where everybody has access.
Commissioner Springle moved to approve the appointment listed below. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
HARNETT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Betty R. Wishart (nominated by Commissioner Springle) was appointed to serve as the Town of Erwin representative on the Harnett County Public Library Board of Trustees
Sandhills Antique Farm Equipment Club’s President Alvin McCartan, Vice President Bill King and Treasurer Tom Steves gave their annual presentation. The Club’s mission is to preserve southern agricultural heritage through restoration and display of antique farm equipment at work, and to provide fun and educational family activities for North Carolinians of all ages. They reviewed activities at the Sandhills Farm Park which included the 4th Annual Swap Meet, Boy Scout’s Turkey Shoot, 6th Annual Sandhills Antique Farm Show as well as their Biannual Ag Science Day held for over 300 Harnett County fifth graders. Club involvement in the community includes scholarships, a Benevolent Fund, Cape Fear Youth Day as well as supporting many community activities with demonstrations and/or static displays. They also discussed improvements made to the Sandhills Farm Park in Lillington.
Mark Locklear, Director of Planning Services, petitioned the board for a public hearing on a proposed Firearms & Explosives Discharge Ordinance for Harnett County. Mr. Locklear explained this is a police-powers ordinance that would be administrated by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Locklear said the reason for the requested ordinance was the increased concerns over complains of life, health and safety of Harnett County citizens as related to the discharge of firearms and explosives in densely populated areas over the last year. He said as staff conducted their research they worked with the Harnett County legal team, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office as well as some citizens across the county. Mr. Locklear said they also looked at what other counties have done in regards to these issues. Mr. Locklear noted this ordinance went to the Harnett County Planning Board on August 4, 2014 with a 4 – 1 vote to approve with concerns to be addressed by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners.
Randy Baker, Senior Zoning Inspector, gave an overview of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Baker reiterated that this discharge ordinance has no power over anyone enjoying the sport of hunting and continued to offer clarification and interpretation of the proposed ordinance including exemptions. Mr. Baker said while designing this ordinance and trying to be as fair and consistent while meeting the intent of the ordinance, staff feels like they have introduced a relaxed set of distances within the ordinance. He noted research shows that municipal ordinances would be much stricter than county ordinances. Mr. Baker explained the ordinance dictates where you fire your weapon from: A. Within five hundred (500) fees as measured in a straight line from the point of discharge to the property line of any school, church, daycare, playground, park, recreational area; and B. within two hundred (200) feet as measured in a straight line from the point of discharge to any public or private road, utility or access easement, or permanent building (built to N.C. Building Code offering a high percentage of being occupied) not under the ownership or controlled by the person responsible for the discharge of the firearm.
At the request of citizens, Sheriff Rollins addressed the group. He said commissioners and the Sheriff’s Office have been getting complaints and agreed that many of the calls were because people were fearful. Sheriff Rollins said he was involved in all of the meetings in drafting the ordinance and he hoped the main outcome was primarily for the subdivision with an acre or less lots. Sheriff Rollins said we are a growing community and we have to accept each other and we
have got to give a little bit. He said unfortunately some people have to be told by a law how to be a good neighbor. With the current laws, Sheriff Rollins said he can’t intervene or do anything regarding some situations.
Chairman Miller told citizens this was a learning experience and asked that everyone be respectful. Chairman Miller called to order a public hearing on the matter and opened the meeting for comments from the public. The following citizens offered comments opposing the proposed ordinance as written:
- Jimmy Dorman of 2547 Christian Light Road in Fuquay Varina
- Dennis Shaw of 30 Willie Cameron Road in Lillington
- Graham Byrd of 1386 Antioch Church Road in Dunn
- Paul Long of 601 Old Buies Creek Road in Angier
- Jerry Rivas of 364 Twin Ponds Road in Sanford
- Joel Young of 33 Archer Drive in Bunnlevel
- Thomas Perkins of 3781 Johnson County Line Road in Angier
- Kevin Ashe of Fort Mill, SC currently staying at 701 Fred Burns Road in Holly Springs
- James Byrd of 494 Old Stage Road in Coats
- Dewey Westbook of 52 Brant Lane in Coats
- Joseph Fields of 11 Botanical Court in Bunnlevel
- John Watkins of 115 Hunterview Lane in Coats
- Jonathan Tart of 578 Dura Bilt Lane in Coats
- Jimmy Dorman of 132 Cokesbury Road in Fuquay Varina
- Fred Duncan of Kirk Adams Road in Angier
- Cecil McNeill of 165 Memas Lane in Lillington
- Chad Schachter, 800 W Old Road in Lillington and owns property in Bunnlevel
- Tommy McNeill of 46 Flatwood Baptist Lane in Lillington
- Russell Tart of 1531 Prospect Church Road
- Chris Nystrom of 391 Center Lane in Bunnlevel
- Jim Neely of 673 Fred Burns Road in Holly Springs
- Billy Glover of Meadowlark Lane in Dunn
- Erick Brock 412 Joe Collins Road in Lillington
- Chandra Reid of 22 Wyoming Court in Spring Lake
- Dan Hickman of 59 Spring Meadow Court in Coats
- Robert Chaffield of 650 Joel Johnson Road in Lillington
- Barry Pilcher of 4424 NC Hwy 210 South in Bunnlevel
- Donny Osborne of 73 Grameta Lane in Lillington
- Frankie McCrae of 1333 Loop Road in Bunnlevel
- Ronnie Bass of Old US 421 in Lillington
- Phil Chat of Joel Johnson Road
- Susan Ware of 393 Ponderosa Trail in Cameron said this ordinance could
be improved upon but is needed to try control the people that don’t act responsibly.
Seeing no one else move, Chairman Miller closed the public hearing. Commissioners thanked the audience for their comments and each offered comments regarding the issue and the public hearing. Commissioner Burgin moved to table this issue and turn it back over to the Planning staff and the Sheriff and they set up a committee of no more than 10 people to be advisors on this. Commissioner Burgin asked the audience to contact the Clerk if they are interested in serving on the advisory group or to be added to the “Sunshine List” to receive board meeting agendas. Commissioner Burgin said we have got to come up with something to handle this stuff in subdivisions. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Mr. Burns presented the following reports:
- Veterans Affairs Activities Report July 2014
- Planning Services Report – July 2014
- Interdepartmental Budget Amendments
Mr. Burns noted we have been asked by the NCACC to begin looking at legislative goals for the upcoming session. He said one item that has come up from several counties is the issue of sales tax by zip code where zip codes cross county lines.
Chairman Miller called for any new business. Commissioners Burgin and Springle gave a quick overview of the recent North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference in Asheville. They mentioned sessions on crisis management, what laws allow county government to do and economic development incentives. They offered to share copies of all of the conference presentations with fellow commissioners. Commissioner Springle said the 2015 national meeting will be in Charlotte and the state meeting will be in Greenville.