1996-12-02 Regular Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 713
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular
Session on Monday, December 2, 1996, at 6:30 P.M. in the Assembly
Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third 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.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed
everyone present.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy County Manager, Andrew J.
invocation.
Atkinson,
gave
the
vice-Chairman Mathews led the audience ln the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Commissioner Barone MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Sisson
to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 18, 1996,
and Work Session of November 26, 1996, as corrected and presented
by the Clerk to the Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
MEETING CONVENED FROM REGULAR SESSION TO HOLD A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Chairman Greer convened from Regular Session at 6: 10 P.M.
until 6:18 P.M. to hold a meeting of the Water and Sewer District.
PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES TO OUT-GOING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Greer, on behalf of the Board, commented on the
outstanding service rendered by Vice-Chairman Mathews, Commissioner
Barone, and Commissioner Sisson, and he presented plaques to each
member in recognition and appreciation for their dedicated years of
service while serving on the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners.
Name
Years of Service
Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.
Commissioner Sandra Barone
Commissioner William E. Sisson, Jr.
Dec. 1988 - Dec. 1996
Dec. 1992 - Dec. 1996
Dec. 1992 - Dec. 1996
Vice-Chairman Mathews commented on attending 206 meetings, not
including special meetings, during the last eight years and stated
he had enj oyed serving on the Board and would miss his fellow
Commissioners. He expressed appreciation to the Administrative
Staff for their assistance, and he informed the newly elected
Commissioners that New Hanover County was fortunate to have highly
qualified members of staff to assist them during their terms of
office. In closing, Vice-Chairman Mathews requested his wife, Mrs.
Betty Mathews, to stand, and he expressed appreciation to her for
being supportive of him during his years of public service.
Commissioner Sisson reported it had been a pleasure to serve
the people of New Hanover County and stated one real joy had been
the opportunity to work with Vice-Chairman Mathews who was one of
the finest public servants he had ever known. He commented on
trying to be honest at all times about the issues and advised that
the past four years had been an interesting ride, not always
pleasant and sometimes wild, but he had no regrets and would always
cherish these years with a great deal of fondness. In closing,
Commissioner Sisson expressed appreciation to the County Staff for
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 714
their assistance, and he recognized his wife and family for their
support during his term of office.
Commissioner Barone stated she sat in the Assembly Room four
years ago and listened to former County Commissioner Jonathan
Barfield make parting remarks that were gracious and kind after
twelve years of service. She expressed a desire to do the same.
Commissioner Barone reported the past four years had been
challenging as well as frustrating. She commented on feeling that
God had allowed her to receive more votes in 1992 than any County
Commissioner because he needed to teach her a little about humility
and losing graciously. During her term of office, she had learned
to lose graciously not just once or twice, but time and time again.
As referenced by Commissioner Sisson, the ride had been
interesting, and if any woman in New Hanover County decides to
become involved with politics, she should have her head examined.
In closing, Commissioner Barone expressed appreciation for the
support given to her. She removed a bottle of nail polish from her
purse and stated she came into office touching up her nails, and
she would leave the office touching up her nails.
A round of applause was glven to the out-going County
Commissioners for their years of serVlce.
BREAK
Chairman Greer called a break from 6:40 P.M. until 6:45 P.M.
OATHS OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell administered the Oaths of
Office to the following newly elected County Commissioners:
Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.
Commissioner Charles R. Howell
Chairman Greer announced that County Attorney Copley would be
presiding over the meeting for the election of a Chairman and Vice-
Chairman of the Board for the coming year.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
County Attorney Copley opened the floor to receive nominations
for Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for
the ensulng year.
Commissioner Caster nominated Robert G. Greer. The nomination
was seconded by Commissioner Birzenieks.
There being no further nominations, County Attorney Copley
declared the nominations closed.
Vote: Upon vote, Robert G. Greer was UNANIMOUSLY elected to serve
as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the ensuing
year.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
County Attorney Copley opened the floor to receive nominations
for Vice-Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
for the ensuing year.
Commissioner Birzenieks nominated Commissioner Caster. The
nomination was seconded by Commissioner Howell.
There being no further nominations, County Attorney Copley
declared the nominations closed.
Vote: Upon vote, William A. Caster was UNANIMOUSLY elected to
serve as Vice-Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners for the ensuing year.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 715
Chairman Greer expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for
electing him to serve as Chairman of the Board and stated he looked
forward to working closely with each member.
MEETING CONVENED FROM REGULAR SESSION TO HOLD A MEETING OF THE NEW
HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Chairman Greer convened from Regular Session at 6:50 P.M.
until 7:00 P.M. to reconvene to the regular meeting of the Water
and Sewer District.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS APPROVING PUBLIC OFFICIAL BONDS
Chairman Greer requested the Board to adopt resolutions
approving public official bonds pursuant to the requirements of
Chapter 109 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Birzenieks to adopt a resolution to exempt from the bond
requirement in Section 18B-700 of the N. C. General Statutes, any
member of the New Hanover County ABC Board who would not be
handling Board funds. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Motion: Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Caster to adopt a resolution to approve the bonds of the Clerk of
Superior Court of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Finance
Officer, New Hanover County Sheriff, Register of Deeds of New
Hanover County, New Hanover County Tax Collector and Chairman of
the New Hanover County ABC Board with authorization for the
Chairman to certify approval of the original bond with the
exception of the bond for the Clerk of Superior Court, which is not
physically present in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Birzenieks to adopt a resolution to determine that the required
Sheriff's Bond pursuant to the provisions of Section 162-8 of the
N. C. General Statutes shall be in the amount of $5,000. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Copies of the resolutions are hereby incorporated as a part of
the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XXIII, Page 31.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Howell to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSENT AGENDA
Adoption of Resolutions Adding Roads to the State Highway System
The Commissioners adopted the following resolutions to add
roads to the State Highway System:
Roads in Fox Run Farm Subdivision
Candlewood Drive
Ferndale Road
Meadowood Drive
Springhill Road
Copies of the resolutions are hereby incorporated as a part of
the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XXIII, Page 31.
Approval of Budget Amendment #97-0078 Social Services/Crisis
Intervention Program
The Commissioners approved the following Budget Amendment:
97-0078
Adjustment
Debit
Credit
Social Services/Administrative
Administrative Grant
$144,914
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 716
(Budget Amendment #97-0078 continued)
Debit
Credit
Crisis Intervention Proqram
Assistance Payments
$144,914
Social Services/Child Dav Care
Smart Start Child Day Care
$ 9,000
Smart Start Child Day Care
$ 9,000
Purpose: To budget additional funds for the Crisis Intervention
Program and budget additional funds for the Child Day Care Smart
Start Services.
DISCUSSION OF SELECTING AN ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FOR THE PAGES
CREEK DRAINAGE STUDY
Chairman Greer reported the Engineering Department had
received six proposals to perform a drainage study of the Pages
Creek basin. Staff recommends inviting the firms to present brief
presentations on the proposals with two Commissioners attending the
meetings to review the proposals and recommend selection of one
firm to the full Board.
Consensus: After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to
request Vice-Chairman Caster and Commissioner Howell to attend the
presentations and recommend the selection of one firm to perform
the Pages Creek Drainage Study.
ADDITIONAL ITEM - COUNTY MANAGER
APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN CASTER AND COMMISSIONER HOWELL TO
SERVE ON THE JOINT CITY AND COUNTY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR
UNIFYING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES
County Manager 0' Neal requested the Board to appoint two
Commissioners to serve on the joint City and County Committee to
develop a plan for unifying water and sewer services.
Consensus: After discussion of the need for the Chairman and Vice-
Chairman of the Water and Sewer District to be involved in this
process, it was the consensus of the Board to appoint Vice-Chairman
Caster and Commissioner Howell to serve on the committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board