5/3/00 Meeting Minutes, Town of Holly Springs

Town of Holly Springs

Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 30, 2000

MINUTES

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners reconvened in continued session on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 in the Town Board meeting chambers, located in Town Hall, 128 S. Main St. Mayor Gerald W. Holleman presided, recalling the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. A quorum was established as the mayor and four board members were present as the meeting opened. This is a continuation of a meeting that convened on Tuesday, May 16, 2000. The purpose of this continuation is to hold discussions on, among other things, the proposed Town of Holly Springs FY 2000-01 budget.

Board Members Present: Commissioners Tim Sack, John Schifano, Parrish Womble (was present and then left momentarily before meeting was convened and returned) Peter Atwell and Hank Dickson and Mayor Holleman.

Board Members Absent: None.

Staff Members Present: Richard B. Self, town manager; Ernest C. Pearson, town attorney; Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); Gina Bobber, director of planning; Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering; Len Bradley, director of parks and recreation; Thomas Tillage, director of public utilities; Luncie McNeil, director of public works; Cecil Parker, chief of public safety; Jennifer Carr, director of economic development; Ricky Blackmon, director of building code enforcement; and Drew Holland, interim finance director.

At this time, Mr. Self informed the board that a contract for “soft costs” relating to the Harnett County waterline is proposed. The contract represents previous agreements between the Town of Holly Springs and Harnett County, but is one single document that captures the project to install a 36-inch waterline from the water treatment plant in Lillington to the Wake County line. He asked that the Board authorize him to sign the contract on behalf of the Town of Holly Springs.

Action: To authorize the Town Manager to sign the soft-costs contract with Harnett County on behalf of the Town of Holly Springs.

Motion by: Schifano

Second by: Sack

Vote: Unanimous.

The contract is on file in the Town Clerk’s office and is hereby, by reference, incorporated into these minutes.

The Town Manager then recommended that action be considered on the Town’s current grade/step salary scale and a list of new position classifications he derived from a salary survey of area municipalities. He explained that the Town’s current salary chart is about 5% below the market for salaries. He recommended that an adjusted pay scale be adopted as well as a list of new position classifications. He said employees whose grades increase due to adoption of the list of classifications would receive salary increases, per Town policy. Most employees, however, would not receive salary increases. The minimum and maximum salaries (and salaries within the range) for those positions simply would increase by 5%.

Commissioner Womble asked what would happen for those employees whose positions were reclassified to a lower pay grade. Mr. Self explained that the salaries of those employees would not be affected; rather, the salary ranges of those positions would be adjusted. Commissioner Womble said he felt that this would result in lower employee morale for those whose positions were reclassified to lower grades.

Action: The board adopted the new list of position classes and the accompanying pay scale, effective May 1, 2000.

Motion by: Dickson

Second by: Sack.

Vote: Motion carried, 4-1. Commissioner Womble voted against.

Mr. Self then reported that he is in the process of reviewing insurance rates in an effort to provide the same level of medical coverage for employees and covered dependents with as small a rate increase as possible. The Town’s current carrier through the Municipal Insurance Trust is proposing a hefty rate increase, and Mr. Self feels that other carriers may offer medical coverage at more reasonable rates.

The Board, by consensus, endorsed Mr. Self’s efforts to secure alternative medical insurance coverage for employees.

Mr. Self then informed the Board that he had received word last week that Wake County is proposing a rate increase for solid waste disposal at its landfills. He said that increase may affect the Town’s collection/disposal service costs.

At this time, the Board entered into workshop mode to discuss the proposed FY 2000-2001 budget. Board members discussed each line item, weighing its merit, necessity and cost to the Town.