1996-11-26 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 708
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session on Tuesday, November 26, 1996, at 7:30 A.M. in Room 501 of
the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut
Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; WilliamA.
Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.;
Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen 0' Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
The following newly elected Commissioners were present: Buzz
Birzenieks, Ted Davis, Jr., and Charles R. Howell.
Chairman Greer called the Work Session to order and announced
the purpose of the meeting was for the current members of the Board
to discuss major issues and ideas with the newly elected County
Commissioners.
Growth and Development: Commissioner Sisson emphasized the
importance of working jointly with the City of Wilmington to
resolve many of the major issues, such as water, sewer, and
drainage. One posi ti ve step toward this goal was the recent
agreement between the City and County for the joint construction of
the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will save money for
both local governments. After attending various meetings regarding
growth, the citizens of New Hanover County strongly feel that City
and County must work together to provide badly needed
infrastructure needs.
A lengthy discussion was held on why the City and County had
not become more unified in the provision of services. Commissioner
Sisson reported that during the past four years, many committees
had been established to prepare proposals for combining various
departments; however, through a lack of communication or personal
contact with all members of both governing bodies, these plans had
not been approved. Frequently, two members of the Board of County
Commissioners and two members of the City Council would meet with
administrative staff members and reach an agreement to enter into
a joint venture. Since discussion had not occurred with the full
membership of the City Council, many proposals were either changed
in a manner that was not acceptable to the Board of County
Commissioners or the entire effort was negated. He urged the newly
elected County Commissioners to work toward developing personal
relationships with members of the Wilmington City Council so more
progress can be made in the unification of services.
Further discussion was held on the deterioration of the
working relationship between the City Council and Board of County
Commissioners after the failure of consolidation. Chairman Greer
explained that when consolidation was considered, the City Council
had already prepared an annexation plan. Once the plan was
presented to the public, the citizens in the unincorporated County
strongly opposed annexation and requested the City and County to
consider consolidation. Both governing bodies met and adopted
resolutions for development of a consolidation plan to be presented
to the voters. Subcommittees composed of City Council Members and
County Commissioners were appointed and a plan was developed and
adopted by the two governing bodies with the understanding that if
consolidation failed, the City would proceed with its annexation
plan. Unfortunately, the Board did not recognize at the beginning
of the process that a majority of the Council Members were not
supportive of consolidation. After this development and the
failure of consolidation, conflict areas began to develop between
the two governing bodies.
Discussion
expressed
cancelled
of Legion Stadium Committee: Commissioner Barone
concern for the number of meetings that had been
by the City when trying to present the final
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 709
recommendations of the Legion Stadium Committee. She reported the
Board of County Commissioners became involved in the Legion Stadium
matter to resolve the conflict that was occurring between the Board
of Education and the City Council. There was a great deal of
disagreement on the fees to be charged for the use of Legion
Stadium. After forming the committee, a plan was developed for the
use and management of Legion Stadium. She advised the plan had
been prepared, and she urged the new Board to continue to
participate and serve on this committee.
Development of Community Campus on New School Construction Sites:
Commissioner Sisson reported on the need to purchase adequate land
to develop a community campus on new school construction sites.
This type of an arrangement will allow for auditoriums, athletic
fields, gymnasiums, and other recreational facilities to be used by
the community after school hours. Also, new schools can be
constructed to specifications that will better serve as emergency
shelters during hurricanes. Advance planning and design will be
required before construction begins, which will require a joint
effort between the Board of Education and Board of County
Commissioners. Commissioner Sisson urged the new Board to move
forward with establishing these types of community campuses on new
school sites.
Discussion of Sales Tax Distribution: Chairman Greer advised that
North Carolina General Statutes allow counties to decide on the
distribution formula for the collection of the sales tax. There
are two formulas: (1) distribution based on the population; and (2)
distribution based on the area in which the sales tax is collected.
New Hanover County distributes the property tax based upon the area
in which the tax is collected; therefore, as growth continues to
expand in the unincorporated County the percentage of the sales tax
collected increases while the percentage collected by the City
decreases. A few years ago, the City Council approached the Board
of County Commissioners requesting that the formula be changed in
order for the City to maintain its percentage of sales tax
collections. The Commissioners felt the County could not make a
change within one year because of the drastic reduction in
revenues; however, discussion did occur about gradually making the
change over a period of years.
Discussion of Annexation: Chairman Greer reported in the fifties,
the General Assembly enacted legislation to allow a municipality to
annex a portion of an unincorporated county in need of urban
services. As the State of North Carolina grew in population and
counties became more urbanized with a demand for services, counties
started providing utility services and fire protection to
unincorporated areas. As a result of this action, many
municipalities began to annex unincorporated areas with services in
lieu of annexing unincorporated areas badly in need of services.
This has become a statewide issue, and the General Assembly will
have to determine if the annexation law should be changed.
Further discussion was held on whether a maj ori ty of the
members of the General Assembly would be in favor of changing the
annexation law. Chairman Greer reported a majority of the members
in the General Assembly were former members of City Councils;
therefore, the law will probably remain unchanged.
Commissioner Barone reported on attending legislative public
hearings regarding annexation laws and advised she presented
specific examples of how the City of Wilmington had abused the
intent of the annexation law by not taking advantage of
opportunities to expand its tax base, such as denial of the PPD
project and prohibiting an existing minor league baseball team to
use Legion Stadium. At the public hearing in Raleigh, North
Carolina, she had made the following comments: (1) require the
municipalities to look within their existing borders for
opportunities to expand their tax base; (2) prohibit annexation
without approval by the Board of County Commissioners; and (3)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 710
prohibit municipalities from skipping over areas that do not have
services to annex areas with services. Currently, there are
twenty-nine consolidation bills before the N. C. House and N. C.
Senate. A subcommittee has been appointed to make recommendations
to the full Legislature. However, in her opinion, the annexation
law will not be changed significantly as there are legislators who
were former City Council members and some who were County
Commissioners. Major changes are currently unlikely.
Commissioner-Elect Howell agreed with the idea of encouraging
cities to explore opportunities for growth within their borders.
He advised the South 17th Street Extension was an example of
property that would have been totally developed a number of years
ago if the City had not penalized development with large impact
fees.
Discussion was held on the impact of annexation to the New
Hanover County Fire Service. Commissioner Sisson reported the Fire
Service District would lose taxable property and sales tax revenue.
One Volunteer Fire Department will be directly impacted by the
first phase of annexation. This fire department will not have a
response district, and the Board of County Commissioners will have
to determine how to deal with the five-year contract between the
Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Wilmington as well as
address how to handle fire equipment already financed by the
County. He advised as the City proceeds with annexation there will
be ideal situations where the City and County should consider joint
efforts. Also, the new Board should address financial issues in
advance of annexation to prepare for future Fire District budgets.
A lengthy discussion was held on the County being more
interested ln the residents of the unincorporated County than
residents in the City. Commissioner Sisson responded he could not
agree with this statement because the County has been extremely
supportive of school needs; the Department of Social Services,
which mainly serves inner-city residents; funding of the New
Hanover County Transportation System in coordination with the
Wilmington Transit Authority; automation of the 911 Center; and
development of the 800 MHZ System, which has benefitted all City
residents.
County Manager O'Neal advised the County had made a conscious
decision over the years to insure that buildings were constructed
within the City, such as the DSS Building and Health Department
facility, which increased the City's tax base.
Commissioner Caster advised that if any County area had been
forgotten, it would be the residents living in Hanby Beach and
Wilmington Beach who have not been annexed by the towns of Carolina
Beach or Kure Beach. These areas are desperately in need of better
services, and the new Board should consider this section of the
unincorporated County when making future decisions.
Commissioner Barone advised that she understood the Town of
Carolina Beach was considering annexing these areas.
Commissioner-Elect Birzenieks requested the County Manager to
characterize the relationship between the City and County Staff
Members.
County Manager O'Neal responded the relationship was good;
however, improvements could always be made. He advised the County
Staff had made an effort to meet more frequently with City Staff to
discuss major lssues.
Discussion of Fire Protection Plan for the 421 North Industrial
Corridor: Chairman Greer presented background information on the
fire service proposal presented by the City and the decision made
by the Board to adopt the County's plan. He advised while watching
the City Council meeting on the governmental access channel, the
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 711
Council was reviewing the County's plan, and Mayor Betz referenced
that millions and millions of dollars would be spent by the County
when the County could have used those funds to address
infrastructure needs. Chairman Greer advised these types of remarks
were not conducive to creating a healthy environment between the
City and County.
Commissioner Sisson reported the Mayor's remarks were not
true. The plan developed by the County would not cost millions of
dollars; however, the plan would provide a higher level of fire
service in a cost-effective manner.
Discussion of School Issues: Commissioner Sisson advised a bond
issue would be required to address school needs. A lengthy
discussion was held on proj ected school enrollments and maintenance
of buildings.
Commissioner-Elect Howell asked Commissioner Barone to share
her opinion about spending more money on schools.
Commissioner Barone spoke in favor of private schools with
credits and school vouchers in lieu of building new schools.
advised the school system was broken and reported less money
needed annually to educate a child in a private school
graduated with higher test scores. In her opinion, providing
money to the schools was not the solution to the problem.
tax
She
was
who
more
Commissioner-Elect Birzenieks requested Commissioner Barone to
comment on split-shifts for schools.
Commissioner Barone responded that split shifts had been
recommended in the past by the Board of Education, but many parents
and students were not receptive to the idea.
Commissioner-Elect Howell requested Vice-Chairman Mathews to
share his opinion about spending more money on schools.
Vice-Chairman Mathews responded he felt that education was a
priority and should be supported. Unfortunately, there are many
citizens who are concerned about the amount of money being spent
with poor test scores.
Further discussion was held on the lack of land in New Hanover
County for new school facilities. Commissioner-Elect Birzenieks
asked if any school systems in the State had constructed schools
outside county boundaries?
County Manager O'Neal responded there were no schools
constructed outside county boundaries; however, a solution would be
to look within the City for space and consider renovation of
existing school buildings to better serve surrounding communities
and preserve these historic landmarks.
A lengthy discussion was held on maintenance of the schools.
Vice-Chairman Mathews requested the newly elected Commissioners to
be sure school maintenance and repairs were performed as scheduled
before releasing funds to the schools.
Chairman Greer reported until a decision has been made to
educate the students who desire an education, it would be difficult
to maintain school buildings. Concern was expressed for the lack
of discipline among students which has created a tremendous amount
of destruction to buildings.
Discussion was held on the recent problem being experienced
with graffiti. Commissioner Sisson commented on an article in the
Star-News approximately three years ago about an individual living
in Charlotte who developed a wall cover that was graffiti proof.
He requested Staff to check into this matter.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 26, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 712
Further discussion was held on gangs in communities and
schools. Commissioner Sisson advised that overcrowding of schools
encouraged the right conditions for the development of gangs.
Fortunately, the Sheriff's Department has been working to be sure
that gang crimes are kept at a minimum.
Discussion of Commissioners Appointed to Serve as the County
Representative on Committees and Boards
Commissioner-Elect Birzenieks commented on the number of
committees that require a Commissioner representative and advised
it would be helpful to meet with the previous Commissioner who had
served on a committee to recelve a status report on current
activities.
Commissioner Sisson responded he would be glad to meet with
any of the new Commissioners after being appointed to serve on the
various boards and committees. He offered to attend the first
meeting of the Fire Commission to introduce the new County
Commissioner.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner-Elect Birzenieks expressed appreciation to the
Board for taking time to meet and discuss key issues with the newly
elected Commissioners.
Chairman Greer adjourned the Work Session at 9:10 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board