Town of Holly Springs

Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999 in the Town Board meeting chambers, located in Town Hall, 128 S. Main St. Mayor Gerald W. Holleman presided, calling the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. A quorum was established as the mayor and all five board members were present as the meeting opened.

Board Members Present: Commissioners Tim Sack, Ken Martin, Parrish Womble, Bill Banks and Hank Dickson and Mayor Holleman.

Board Member Absent: None.

Staff Members Present: Richard B. Self, town manager; Ernest C. Pearson, town attorney; Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); and Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering.

Others Present: Mr. Bob Jessup, bond attorney.

2 and 3. The pledge of allegiance was recited, and the meeting opened with a moment of silent meditation.

At this time, Mayor Holleman reported that the Town was advised today that the Town has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of about $226,000. The Town applied for the grant funding two years ago. The funds are to be used for housing rehabilitation.

Mr. Self also reported that the Town has received a non-matching grant in the amount of $16,500 to be used for the purchase of three in-car cameras for the police department.

4. Public Hearing: USDA Application – Mrs. Sudano explained that the purpose of this public hearing is to accept input from the public on the desirability of the Town’s applying for a low-interest loan (or grant) to cover costs of the Harnett County water purchase and infrastructure process (through the sale of bond anticipation notes to USDA). She said estimated costs and total of the application amount is as follows:

Mrs. Sudano reminded the Board that bond anticipation notes for these projects were secured in the July 1999 referendum and that the USDA would be the purchaser of some of those notes.

With that explanation completed, Mayor Holleman opened the public hearing, and the following comments were recorded:

In Favor: None.

Opposed: None.

Other: None.

There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

5. Public Comments – At this time, the public was given a 15-minute opportunity to address the Board on any variety of issues. The following members of the public addressed the Board: None.

6. Agenda Adjustment – Commissioner Martin moved that the Nov. 16, 1999 meeting agenda be adopted with the changes, if any, as listed below. Commissioner Womble seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

Items Added: None.

Consent Items Moved: None.

7a. USDA Application – Mr. Self explained that if the Town Board desires to apply to the USDA for funding of the Harnett County waterline project, three actions will be needed:

(1) authorization of submission of a funding application to USDA for the Harnett County waterline project.

(2) authorization to amend some existing engineering and design contracts and enter a new one with The Wooten Company in order to have the contracts conform to USDA loan application forms and requirements. The new contract would provide for an environmental assessment study.

(3) authorization of a budget amendment to facilitate those changes and additions.

Action: Commissioner Sack moved that the Town apply to USDA for low-interest loan or grant funding for the Harnett County waterline project; that existing contracts be amended as needed and that a new one be entered with The Wooten Company for an environmental assessment; and that a budget ordinance amendment to facilitate the contract changes and additions be authorized. Commissioner Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

7b. Board Vacancies – There was much discussion as to whether or not to simply reappoint current members or to accept applications for consideration.

Commissioner Dickson asked if an alternate member position could be created for the Planning Board. Mr. Self said he would check the ordinance to determine if an ordinance amendment would be needed.

Action: Commissioner Dickson moved that the Town accept applications for consideration for filling the upcoming expiring terms.

There was no second to the motion.

Action: Commissioner Womble moved that current members be reappointed to new three-year terms and that remaining two vacancies (created by the resignation of Planning Board member Richard Gallo and Board of Adjustments alternate member John Schifano’s election to the Town Board) be chosen from new applicants. Commissioner Sack seconded the motion.

Much discussion among board members followed. Opinions were voiced on the merits of having new members from the community getting involved versus having experienced residents on these advisory boards.

Mayor Holleman called for a vote on the motion: The motion carried to reappoint Laverne Cofield, Victoria Judd and Bill Banks to the Planning Board and Wallace Ponder and Ernestine Corbin to the Board of Adjustments. The motion carried, 4-1. Commissioners Sack, Martin and Womble voted for. Commissioner Dickson voted against. Commissioner Banks abstained from voting; however, his no vote counts as a "yes."

7c. Tischler and Associates – Mr. Self explained that, after working closely with Tischler and Associates on defining variables for the Fiscal Impact Study and Model, staff feels that the Tischler proposal needs to be amended to slightly enlarge the scope. This, in turn, will increase the contract amount from $9,700 to $11,700. Staff feels that this change is warranted to develop a more complete and usable model and that the cost increase is justified by the additional work we are requesting from the consultant, she said.

Mrs. Sudano pointed out that funds are budgeted in Professional Services to cover this additional cost.

Action: Commissioner Sack moved that the Town Board approve an amendment to Tischler and Associates Fiscal Impact Contract to increase the scope of work at an additional cost of $2,000. Commissioner Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. A copy of the amended contract is incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

8. Consent Agenda – Commissioner Sack moved that all items on the Consent Agenda be approved. Commissioner Womble seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, affecting the following actions:

8a. Cafeteria Plan – The Town Board approved the motion to offer the 125IRC program to employees.

8b. Minutes – Minutes of the Board’s regular meetings held on Oct. 19 and Nov. 2, 1999 were approved.

8c. Bond Resolutions – The Board adopted five resolutions concerning Town bonds and notes that are scheduled to be issued in December. The resolutions are as follows and are incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

(1) Resolution 99-46 – "Resolution authorizing and providing for the issuance of $2,000,000 general obligation bond anticipation notes for parks and recreation facilities."

These proposed bond anticipation notes will renew bond anticipation notes most recently renewed last March. This resolution is in just about the same form we have used for the previous not renewals. The Town’s plan is to issue bonds next August to provide the permanent financing for the parks projects.

(2) Resolution 99-47 – "Resolution providing for the issuance of $1,300,000 sewer revenue bond."

(3) Resolution 99-48 – "Resolution providing for the issuance of $3,200,000 general obligation sanitary sewer bond."

These resolutions provide for the Town’s loans with the United States Rural Development Agency (the successor to the Farmers Home Administration) to provide permanent financing for the new wastewater treatment plant.

(4) Resolution 99-49 – "Resolution providing for the issuance of a $3,416,900 general obligation water and sewer bond."

(5) Resolution 99-50 – "Resolution providing for the issuance of a $259,000 general obligation water and sewer bond."

Items 4 and 5 provide for the Town’s Rural Development loans to provide permanent financing for various water and sewer system improvements, including line extensions, a water storage tank and a new pump station.

Items 2 through 5 are all in forms similar to resolutions the Board has previously considered for these projects and for other Rural Development bonds in prior years.

The Local Government Commissioner will receive sealed bids for the purchase of the new Parks Notes on Nov. 23. The closings for all the bonds and notes will be held not later than Dec. 7.

9a. Alford Street – Mr. Self said it appears that water and sewer lines end on Mrs. Lunette Vaughan’s property. If this is the case, Mr. Self said, Alford Street could be abandoned.

9b. All Star Gas Company – Mr. Self reported that All Star Gas Company appears to be in violation of the Town’s ordinances with the storage of several gas tanks on the property. He asked permission from the Board to hand the matter over to the Town Attorney for enforcement measures.

Action: Commissioner Sack moved that the Town Attorney be authorized to pursue enforcement procedures regarding All Star Gas Company. Commissioner Dickson seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

9c. LaFoy Drive – Mr. Self reported that there are 16 No Parking signs on LaFoy Drive within a short distance. He said he has received calls from individuals who are concerned about the unsightliness of this effort to control parking on LaFoy. He suggested that the Town handle the problem by erecting signs in a few locations along LaFoy and then working with Swim and Golf Club management to control parking during special events.

Commissioners agreed that this would be acceptable if it solved the problem.

9d. Cardinal Buffering – Commissioner Banks reported that the efforts to reestablish a buffer at the Cardinal Extension site have not improved. Mr. Self responded that a Certificate of Occupancy has not been issued for that reason. He said a CO would not be issued until acceptable landscaping is installed.

9e. Planning Director – Commissioner Banks asked for a report on the progress of hiring a new planning director. Mr. Self said the Town has begun advertising for applications, and that the goal is to have a planning director on staff at the beginning of the year.

9f. Dec 21 meeting – Action: Commissioner Sack moved that there be no second meeting in December unless there is urgent business. Commissioner Womble seconded the motion.

In discussion, Commissioner Dickson said he felt like it was something the new board seated on Dec. 7 should decide.

Commissioner Sack responded that he felt that it would be appropriate to cancel the meeting in light of the holidays. He suggested that if the new members of the Board wish to meet on Dec. 21, then they could vote on Dec. 7 to change tonight’s action.

Vote: The motion carried, 4-1. Commissioner Dickson voted against.

10. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Holleman wished everyone happy holidays, since he would be out of Town on Dec. 7. He also reported on attending the monthly Wake County Mayor’s Association meeting.

Commissioner Dickson – None.

Commissioner Banks – Commissioner Banks said he appreciated opportunity and wished new commissioners well.

Commissioner Womble – Commissioner Womble reported that a stop sign at New Hill Road and Apex Road sits too far back for visibility. He also said there are street light problems on Avent Ferry, New Hill Road and Turner Street.

Commissioner Martin – Commissioner Martin asked if anything had been done about the water issue on Rex Road. The Mayor and Mr. Self said that there has been initial talks.

Commissioner Martin then said he was pleased to have served the Town and thanked citizens for allowing him to serve. He wished the new board well.

Commissioner Sack – Commissioner Sack asked about the tree-trimming on Hwy. 55 that has left stumps and 55-gallon drums along the roadside.

Mrs. Sudano explained that CP&L is clearing for street light installation. She is trying to get CP&L to clear the easement of stumps, but she added that property owners are responsible for the other debris.

Commisioner Sack asked Mr. Self to check into whether or not there is an environmental concern with the disposal of the barrels.

12. Closed Session – None.

13. Adjournment – There being no further business, the Nov. 16, 1999 meeting of the Holly Springs Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Banks, a second by Commissioner Martin and a unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999,

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Joni Powell, CMC

Town Clerk