12/3/02 Special Meeting Minutes, Town of Holly Springs

The Holly Springs Town Board of Commissioners met in a duly-called Special Meeting held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2002 in the cafeteria of the W.E. Hunt Community Center, located at 301 Stinson Avenue. The purpose of the Special Meeting was to hold a workshop on the Town’s future transportation capital improvement schedule and funding options. Mayor Dick Sears presided, calling the meeting to order at 6 p.m. A quorum was established as the mayor and four board members were present when the meeting opened.

Board Members Present: Mayor Sears and Commissioners John Schifano, Chet VanFossen, Peter Atwell and Hank Dickson.

Board Members Absent: Commissioner Steve Tedder.

Staff Members Present: Carl G. Dean, town manager; Chuck Simmons, assistant town manager; Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering; Gina Bobber, director of planning and zoning; Alysia Bailey, town planner; Drew Holland, finance director; Len Bradley, director of parks and recreation; Jennifer Mizelle, director of economic development; and Luncie McNeil, director of public works.

Mr. Dean briefed the Board with a description of the road projects that have been designated by the Town as projects to complete within the next 0 to 2 years. Some of the projects, he said, could be done quickly with existing funding and Powell Bill funds. Others, he said, would require long-term financing through bonds or other means.

Mrs. Sudano and the engineering staff had provided Board Members with information on each of the projects, including estimates for right of way acquisition, utility relocations and construction costs. The spreadsheet also provided funding options for each project. It also listed the roadway projects that are destined to be completed from between 2 and 5 years and between 5 and 10 years.

Mr. Simmons pointed out that the Town could anticipate to pay approximately $80,000 a year in debt service for every $1 million borrowed. Obviously, he said, the town would not be able to afford the debt payment of over $800,000 a year to pay back a $10 million loan needed to complete all of the roadway projects that need to be done in the next few years. He noted, however, that the Town could continue working to get some of the eligible projects listed on the State Transportation Improvement Plan.

He said eventually, those projects on the State TIP would be constructed using state funds, with perhaps participation on the part of the Town. That, he added, would be the most cost-effective means of getting the projects done; however, it is not likely that those projects could be completed in the next few years as the Town would like.

Commissioner Schifano suggested that the Town reduce the scope of the Sunset Lake Road intersection project in order to reduce the projected $5 million cost. He suggested that the Town could wait for developers to provide road improvements as property is developed along Sunset Lake Road.

Commissioner VanFossen suggested that Town could do the full project and then as the property is developed, collect from the developers a payment in lieu of improvements to defray the debt. The Board directed that the Town Attorney be asked to review this possibility.

Commissioner Schifano opened a discussion on Estes Lane, which is currently unpaved.

During discussion, one position was that Estes Lane is not a priority. The other position was that no roadway in town should be unpaved.

It was determined that the Town should scale back the Sunset Lake Road intersection project to reduce the need for right of way acquisition; proceed with design of this intersection so that it can be constructed; to go ahead with the NC 55 and Holly Springs Road intersection project; and to go ahead with all local road improvement projects using available funding and Powell Bill funds.

There being no further business, the Special Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted on January 21, 2003,

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Joni Powell, CMC

Town Clerk