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Raeford council approves budget changes, rezoning, $40,000 land purchase and tentatively awards $4.73M WWTP contract
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Summary
At its Oct. 5 meeting, the Raeford City Council unanimously approved several budget amendments including COVID-19 hazard pay, rezoned a Scott Currie Road parcel for a manufactured home, authorized purchase of a 3.68-acre tract for $40,000 and issued a tentative $4.73 million award for WWTP Contract 2, contingent on N.C. DEQ approval.
The Raeford City Council on Oct. 5 unanimously approved multiple budget amendments, rezoned a parcel at 533 Scott Currie Road to allow a double-wide manufactured home, authorized purchase of a 3.68-acre tract for $40,000 and gave tentative award to Dellinger, Inc. for $4,730,000 to rehabilitate the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
The approvals began with a consent agenda, moved by Councilman John Jordan and seconded by Councilwoman Mary Neill King, that bundled minutes, budget ordinance amendments, tax adjustments, releases and two resolutions. Budget Amendment #1 redirected $66,270 from fund balance to provide COVID-19 hazard pay across city departments, with the police allocation listed as $24,550. Budget Amendment #2 increased General Fund appropriations by $13,608 for several small line items and recorded a $105,800 transfer in the Water/Sewer fund. The council also recorded a $555,163 restricted grant from the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office for the Coronavirus Relief Fund (SR #25-1).
The council adopted Resolution #2020-10 tentatively awarding the WWTP Rehabilitation, Contract 2 – Miscellaneous project to Dellinger, Inc. as the low bidder at $4,730,000. The resolution notes the award is contingent on approval by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
On land-use matters, the council held and closed a public hearing to consider a rezoning request for PIN# 694330701001 (533 Scott Currie Rd.). After Felecia Locklear, the city’s code administrator, presented the planning board’s unanimous recommendation for approval and applicant Will Wright answered questions, Councilwoman Mary Neill King moved to approve the rezoning from R-8 to RMH. The motion was seconded by Councilman Robert Conoly and carried unanimously.
The council also authorized City Manager Dennis Baxley to proceed with acquiring a 3.68-acre tract from David Upchurch at Oakwood Avenue and Highway 20 for $40,000. Manager Baxley said the parcel would be valuable for a possible nature park but noted existing conservation easement constraints near the city pond would limit parking and restroom amenities.
Council considered, but did not finalize, an access easement request from The Roy Mitchell Company to reach a 55.4-acre tract north of Fayetteville Road. Terry Southerland of Roy Mitchell described plans for a mixed development and the council agreed by common consent to consider granting an easement if the company (1) agrees on a fair purchase price, (2) presents development plans ready to proceed and (3) accepts covenants that void the easement if construction does not begin or ceases for a defined period; the council requested legal review.
During public comment, Ron Huff, president of the Hoke County Community Foundation, asked the council to consider a $10,000 city donation to the foundation in the 2021–22 budget, payable over five years; Mayor John K. McNeill III said the request would be taken under advisement. Marcia Long, a Community Cat Caregiver, described a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program used in nearby neighborhoods and asked the council to support the program by urging the city’s animal control officer not to trap ear-tipped cats unless injured or dangerous. "I am not requesting money," Long said, "but I want the council's support for this program," and she offered to assist with problem cases.
The council adopted Resolution #2020-11 declaring certain city vehicles surplus and authorized online auction of those items on GovDeals.com no earlier than Oct. 26, 2020. Manager Baxley also reported that the DEQ Solid Waste Division approved permits for 401 Sand and that the Robbins Heights store site contamination tied to petroleum tanks removed in the 1980s appears eligible for cleanup grant funding. He said the city is researching an Air Curtain Burner (Firebox 200 Series) as a potential waste-management option, with cost estimates of $120,000–$130,000.
The meeting adjourned after a unanimous motion by Councilman Robert Conoly, seconded by Councilman John Jordan.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes, budget amendments, tax adjustments, releases, SR #25-1): moved by John Jordan; seconded by Mary Neill King; outcome: unanimous approval (Mayor John K. McNeill III; Councilmen Robert Conoly, John Jordan, Charles Allen, Wayne Willis; Councilwoman Mary Neill King). • WWTP Contract 2 tentative award (Resolution #2020-10) to Dellinger, Inc., $4,730,000: moved by John Jordan; seconded by Mary Neill King; outcome: unanimous adoption; contingent on N.C. DEQ approval. • Rezoning for 533 Scott Currie Rd. (PIN# 694330701001) from R-8 to RMH: moved by Mary Neill King; seconded by Robert Conoly; outcome: unanimous approval. • Authorization to purchase 3.68-acre Upchurch tract at Oakwood Ave. & Hwy. 20 for $40,000: moved by John Jordan; seconded by Charles Allen; outcome: unanimous approval. • Resolution #2020-11 declaring surplus property and authorizing electronic auction: adopted as part of approvals.
What’s next: The WWTP tentative award requires final approvals and NCDEQ sign-off; the Roy Mitchell easement will return only if the company submits price and development plans and meets the council’s covenant conditions.