1996-09-07 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 7, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 585
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Saturday, September 7, 1996, at 1:00 P.M. in the
Sheriff's Conference Room in the Law Enforcement Building, 20 North
Fourth Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners William A. Caster; William
E. Sisson, Jr.; vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Chairman Robert
G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M.
Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Commissioner Sandra Barone was absent.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and reported the
purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on Hurricane Fran.
Restoration of Electrical Power: Carolina Power & Light Company
has been able to restore approximately 18 to 20 percent of power in
the County. Due to the continued hot weather, stress relief
reports have been issued to help persons with handling the heat
until power has been restored.
Media Center: A majority of the calls received are about debris
removal and are being handled well. Since County offices will be
open on Monday, September 9, 1996, it is felt that the Media Center
should be renamed to the "Public Information Office" and moved into
Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building. This
will assist Staff and employees in manning the center.
Report from Wrightsville Beach: Power should be restored to
Wrightsville Beach within seven to ten days. The major problems
experienced were with a leak in the water system and sewer pump
station at the northern end of Wrightsville Beach. The Town is in
the process of trying to repair these facilities so water and sewer
can be provided within the next twenty-four hours.
The Town of Wrightsville Beach issued a curfew and jet skis
have become a problem with enforcement. Director of Emergency
Management, Dan Summers, reported he would contact the N. C.
wildlife Commission to see if fly-overs could be performed with any
findings reported to Wrightsville Beach law enforcement officials.
Debris Removal: The same procedure used during Hurricane Bertha
will be used for debris removal. Free of charge drop sites will be
opened to receive vegetative debris. Wilmington Materials and Blue
Clay Road facilities will be opened and other collection sites will
be designated. Also, the contract has been continued with D&J
Enterprises, Inc.
Discussion was held on how to handle construction and
demolition debris. Staff was directed to see if contracts could be
developed with D&J Enterprises, Inc., BFI, and Waste Management to
assist with collecting the volume of materials that will be
received from demolished and damaged structures.
Curfew Continued: After discussion, it was the consensus of the
Board to extend the curfew from 10:00 P.M. September 7, 1996, until
6:00 A.M. September 8, 1996.
Food Stations: Food stations will be opened throughout the County.
The First Pentecostal Holiness Church has opened a center at Long
Leaf Mall and the Winter Park Baptist Church has opened a center
near Monkey Junction. Salvation Army trucks will be used to
deliver ice to the beach communities.
Schools: Schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. If the
schools remain closed for a longer period of time, the public will
be immediately notified.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 7, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 586
Courts: The courts will be closed until power lS restored.
County Buildings: A window was blown out on the 6th floor of the
County Administration building with considerable water damage.
Other offices experienced leaks and the Annex Building sustained
water damage. Property Management is in the process of assessing
the damages.
Insurance Adjusters: Insurance adjusters will be coming into New
Hanover County, and it is imperative that adjusters are not allowed
on the beaches. Once the beaches are officially opened, the
adjusters will be issued permits for entry.
Work Schedule for the
Discussion was held on
Transportation would not
Emergency Management, Dan
contact the State to see if
continue on Sunday so power
N. C. Department of Transportation:
the fact that the Department of
be working on Sunday. Director of
Summers, requested the Chairman to
the road debris removal process could
crews can begin to restore power.
After discussion of the excellent job performed by the N. C.
Department of Transportation in clearing roads throughout thirteen
counties impacted by Hurricane Fran, it was the consensus of the
Board to direct Director Summers to contact the State office and
request, not demand, that road clearing would continue on Sunday.
Commissioner Caster, again, expressed concern for being too
rigid with allowing property owners to return to the beach
communities. He requested Staff to be logical in working out a re-
entry plan so the residents can assess their damages as soon as
possible.
In closing, Chairman Greer complimented Director Summers and
the Emergency Management Staff for an excellent job in
administering the recovery efforts. He expressed appreciation to
the members of the Board for the teamwork shown in this disaster,
including the elected officials from Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 1:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board