“I’ve been in favor of the community center since I’ve been on the council,” he said as the council prepared to vote on a subcontractor.
As he continued to speak, he was interrupted by Councilman Tim Sack, who asked how DeBenedetto’s comments were related to the motion regarding the subcontractor. Sack said if DeBenedetto had discussion regarding the financing, he should have brought it up when that issue was being discussed. DeBenedetto did not continue. At previous council meetings, he asked about allowing citizens to vote on whether the town should finance the project.
The new 29,720-square-foot center, to be located behind the current community center on Stinson Ave., is to include workout rooms, a 1/12-mile running track, a game room, an outdoor basketball court, and more. The existing classroom portion of the Hunt Community Center will be demolished for parking once the new center is complete in mid-2011, if construction moves forward as planned.
The town is borrowing $6.524 million for the project, taking out an 18-year loan at 5.2 percent. At the meeting, the town attorney announced that the Local Government Commission had approved the terms of the financing.
Earlier in the meeting, Kevin Adams, representing the town Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, addressed the council regarding the community center and said residents have wanted a new community center “for a very long time.”
“We’re here tonight to say thank you,” he said. “It’s going to be a great, great addition for that side of town.”
Adams said that the town is behind in completing its parks and recreation master plan goals. As part of the public comment period, two residents spoke in favor of the new facility.
“We need it,” said one, who recalled barrels being placed to collect water from leaks in the community center ceiling and said if the council waited to do the project after a citizens’ vote, not only would the vote cost the town money but the project would be more expensive. “We want it. It represents the vitality of the citizens of this area.”
Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears also read from two e-mails in favor of the new center. Three town positions eliminated
As part of the consent agenda, the council endorsed a report from the town manager that calls for a reduction in force. Because of a drop in building permit fees, the manager recommended eliminating two building inspector positions and one engineering inspector position in the report.
The engineering inspector position currently is vacant, and one of the two building inspector slots will be vacated due to a one-year military assignment, the report said. The other building inspector will be reassigned to a vacant position in Public Works. “I expect to continue the reviews on a monthly basis with department heads to determine if other adjustments need to be made for the fiscal year,” the report said. Citizen calls for ethics improvements During the public comment period, Planning Board member Joe Signoretti addressed the council about its ethics policy. He said he was speaking as citizen and that he was “uncomfortable with the way we’re approaching things not just in this room but in the media.”
He said some issues should be brought up in closed session and that investigations should be first performed in-house to prevent “any individual or individuals from undermining confidence in what you’re doing.”
“If there is no factual, conclusive evidence … drop it,” he said.
Signoretti said a staff member was called out in a public meeting without warning for a clerical error. He said staff is demoralized by that type of behavior and that “it had to be humiliating.”
He also said complete information should be released to citizens and the media.
“We’ve known for years that the general public has wanted this (community center),” he said, adding that “all of our surveys” have shown citizen interest in the project. Other business
The council approved closing of a portion of Quantum Dr. right-of-way. A property owner requested the change to provide new land for right-of-way, realigning the road to be straighter. The council also approved a development plan for a 150-square-foot PSNC gas regulator facility off Quantum St.
The council approved amending the Southpark Village master plan, at the intersection of the G.B. Alford Hwy. and Avent Ferry Rd. The amendment will provide three new out-parcels at the shopping center. The town manager announced that a four-story, 124-room Hampton Inn is moving forward with construction and should be complete by fall next year.
As part of the consent agenda, the council adopted a cap and trade resolution urging Congress to protect American jobs and industry in dealing with greenhouse emissions policy.
“In a nutshell, the goals of this resolution are simple: to safeguard American jobs, to ensure affordable energy for citizens, and maintain the global competitiveness of the U.S. Lastly, it’s imperative to hold all polluters accountable across the globe … not just here at home,” a staff document said.
The council also designated October as National Community Planning Month in Holly Springs.
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