Loading...
2006-11-30 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 BOOK 30 PAGE 710 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on Thursday, November 30, 2006, at 4: 14 p.m. in the Finance/IT Conference Room of the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Marketplace Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner William A. Kopp, Jr.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Bruce Shell; County Attorney Wanda Copley and Clerk to the Board, Sheila 1. Schult. Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and reported that the purpose of the meeting is to reconsider a resolution on funding the Intracoastal Waterway Carolina Beach Dredging project adjacent to Carolina Beach Inlet. The proposed project would be funded in the amount of $781 ,250 from New Hanover County's Room Occupancy Tax Fund. Chairman Greer reported that to reconsider the matter the Board must first waive procedural Rule 18, Subsection 10 that addresses reconsideration of an item and requested a motion from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Kopp MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Caster, to waive procedural Rule 18, Subsection 10 that addresses reconsideration of an item. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO O. Chairman Greer recognized the elected officials that were present. Chairman Greer asked Rick Catlin, Chairman of the Ports, Waterway and Beach Commission, to make his presentation. Mr. Catlin reported that John Morris, Director ofthe North Carolina Division of Water Resources, was unable to attend the meeting and would like to address the Board at a future meeting. Mr. Catlin reported that there is no indication that Federal dollars will be available for future dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Based on a new federal cargo matrix the only waterway in North Carolina that meets the criteria is around the Morehead City port. The State of North Carolina recognizes the importance of the project and has agreed to partner with the County. Benefits of the project are: . The opportunity to obtain 250,000 cubic yards of good sand for placement on the beach at the head of the Carolina Beach project, where the net drift is to the south, at $3.50 a cubic yard is a good deal. . The placement of the sand will benefit the entire beach renourishment project. . The dredging will keep the waterway open and safe. Negative impacts if the project is not approved: . A negative message will be sent to the State that the County is not willing to partner with them and the State may not be willing to partner in the future. . The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will shoal and reach a point where it is not passable. . Partnering with the State and using Room Occupancy Tax Funds will not put pressure on the Federal government to fulfill its responsibilities. . The use of the harbor for boat refuge during storms will be jeopardized. In conclusion, Mr. Catlin urged the Board to find a way to fund the project whether or not Room Occupancy Tax Funds are used. Commissioner Davis stated his concern that no one from the State was present at the meeting to dialogue with the Board about the project. Wrightsville Beach Mayor Robert O'Quinn spoke in support of the project. Kure Beach Mayor Tim Fuller stated his support of the project. Carolina Beach Mayor Bill Clark stated he was in support of the recommendation made by the Ports, Waterway and Beach Commission citing safety issues and urged the Board to partner with the State to cost share for the dredging. Chairman Greer stated that he views the request as taking money from the beach communities by using Room Occupancy Tax Funds to dredge the waterway when it is the Federal government's responsibility to maintain the waterway. Commissioner Davis stated that he had confirmed with the representative from the Army Corps of Engineers, at the Board's November 13,2006 meeting, no structures or beach erosion were present where the sand is proposed to be placed. It is not a true beach renourishment proj ect but a beneficial use of the dredged material. Chairman Greer asked Representative Danny McComas if he would like to make any comments. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 BOOK 30 PAGE 711 Representative McComas stated that he was responsible for drafting the Room Occupancy Tax Fund legislation and the proposed project would violate the intent of the legislation by using the funds for a project that is the responsibility of the Federal government. He pledged to work with the beach communities for a solution to give them more discretion on the allocation and use of Room Occupancy Tax Funds. He urged the Board not to approve the project stating that it would be a short-term gain for a long-term loss and a negative message would be sent to the Federal government on funding responsibility. Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau stated that it would be appropriate for the Board to allocate Room Occupancy Tax Funds for this project. Kure Beach Mayor Tim Fuller stated that, according to an opinion submitted by the State Legislature Fiscal Research staff, the definition of beach renourishment includes the protection ofthe beach for recreational use and beach erosion; not just the protection of structures. Commissioner Pritchett stated that beach renourishment of areas used for recreation provides a benefit for the general public; however beach renourishment of an area to protect structures provides a benefit to individuals. Vice-Chairman Caster stated that he was in support of partnering with the State and using Room Occupancy Tax Funds due to the long-term implications if the dredging is not done. Chairman Greer, Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Kopp voiced concerns about the short timeframe of the requested project, the use of Room Occupancy Tax Funds for a project that is not a true beach renourishment and the responsibility of the Federal government to maintain the waterway. Chairman Greer requested direction from the Board. Motion: Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Pritchett, to support the dredging recommendation submitted by the Ports, Waterway and Beach Commission to partner with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources up to $781,250, or 50% ofthe cost, whichever is the lesser amount, with Room Occupancy Tax Funds. Upon vote, the MOTION FAILED 2 TO 3. Chairman Greer, Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Kopp voted in opposition. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 5: 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sheila 1. Schult Clerk to the Board