HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-21 Regular Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 419
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, July 21, 2008, at
9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley;
Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman, Temple of Israel, gave the invocation.
Commissioner Kopp led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Greer asked if any member of the Board would like to remove an item from the Consent Agenda.
Hearing no comments, Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda.
Motion
: Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Pritchett, to approve the items on the
Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes ? Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the minutes of the following meetings as presented by the Clerk to the
Board:
Agenda Review meeting held on July 3, 2008
Regular Session meeting held on July 7, 2008
Final meeting of the Water and Sewer District held on July 7, 2008
Approval of New Hanover County Community Action Agency Appointments ? Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the following two people to serve as New Hanover County Board of
Commissioner Designees on the New Hanover County Community Action Agency Board of Directors:
Sam Lane ? New Hanover County Department of Social Services, Assistant Director of Economic Services
Sheila Schult ? New Hanover County Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
Approval to Elect Standard County Status for Work First Program for 2010-2011 ? Department of Social
Services
The Commissioners, on the recommendation of the Board of Social Services,approved notifying the State
that New Hanover County again requests ?Standard? county status and directed the 2007-2009 Planning Committee
to develop the new plan.
Approval of BB&T Resolution and Agreement for Deposit Account and Bank of America Deposit Account
Documentation Banking Resolution and Certificate of Incumbency ? Finance Department
The Commissioners approved the BB&T Resolution and Agreement for Deposit Account and Bank of
America Deposit Documentation Banking Resolution and Certificate of Incumbency. The authorized signers on the
accounts are Avril M. Pinder, Finance Director, and Barbara D. McClure, Assistant Finance Director. These
resolutions are necessary to remove the Deputy Finance Director from the deposit accounts due to her transferring to
the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
Authorization to Submit a Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program Grant Application ? Fire
Services
The Commissioners authorized Fire Services to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance
Program for a Radiation Detection Equipment Kit, and training for one person on the use of the equipment, that will
be used in a terrorism-related critical incident management mission. No local match is required.
A copy of the grant application is available for review in Fire Services.
Authorization to Establish and Collect Fee for Permitting of Temporary Food Establishments and Adoption
of Budget Ordinance Amendment 09-004? Health Department
The Commissioners authorized the Health Department to establish and collect a $50 fee for temporary food
establishments as required in General Statute 130A-248(d) and adopted Budget Ordinance Amendment 09-004. As
of July 2008, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental
Health, mandated local health departments to collect a $50.00 fee for temporary food establishments. The fees are
to be charged with each issuance of a permit, as well as when a temporary food establishment is relocated or when
the permit has expired. Revenue collections in New Hanover County for FY08-09 are estimated to exceed $11,000.
The funds will be used to pay for temporary contract services for an Environmental Health Specialist to conduct
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 420
field inspections for the Food and Lodging program.
A copy of the budget ordinance amendment is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained
in Exhibit Book XXXI, Page 15.1.
Ratification of Grant Application to the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation for Men's Preventive Health
Program? Department of Health
The Commissioners, at the request of the Department of Health, ratified a grant application to the Cape
Fear Memorial Foundation in the amount of $232,000 for three years. If awarded, the funds will be used to establish
a men?s preventive health program to address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in New Hanover
County: heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The full application was due July 15, 2008.
Ratification of Grant Application to the North Carolina Eat Smart Move More Program for Wellness
Programs ? Department of Health
The Commissioners, at the request of the Department of Health, ratified a grant application to the North
Carolina Eat Smart Move More Program in the amount of $20,000. If awarded, the funds will be used to provide
the infrastructure for the New Hanover County wellness program, which aims to increase knowledge, attitudes and
skills of individuals to make the behavioral changes related to healthy eating and/or physical activity.
Approval to Change Health Department Fee Policy and Fee Schedule to be Compatible with Medicaid
Reimbursements ? Department of Health
The Commissioners, at the request of the Department of Health, approved changes to the Health
Department Fee policy and schedule to be compatible with current Medicaid reimbursements. In the past, Medicaid
has paid one flat administration fee per patient for immunizations, regardless of whether one dose or multiple doses
are given. Medicaid has changed their reimbursement process, and now splits the reimbursement into two fees. If a
patient is administered multiple vaccines in one visit, Medicaid will now pay multiple administration fees, one per
dose administered. The changes to the New Hanover County Health Department Fee Policy will incorporate the
new changes in Medicaid payments.
Acceptance of 2008-2009 LSTA Technology Grant and 2008-2009 LSTA Basic Equipment Grant Funds and
Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendment 09-003 - Library
The Commissioners, on behalf of the Library, accepted grant funds from the 2008-2009 LSTA Technology
Grant in the amount of $100,000 and grant funds from the 2008-2009 LSTA Basic Equipment Grant in the amount
of $25,000 and adopted Budget Ordinance Amendment 09-003. The required matches of $80,000 and $4,600,
respectively, have been budgeted in the Information Technology Department and will be transferred to the Library
by adoption of the budget ordinance amendment.
A copy of the budget ordinance amendment is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained
in Exhibit Book XXXI, Page 15.2.
Authorization to Submit a Grant Application to the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund
for Design Water Quality Improvement Projects in and Around Eagle Point Golf Course ? Planning
Department
The Commissioners authorized the Planning Department to submit a grant application to the North
Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund in the amount of $37,500. If awarded, the funds will be used to
design a water quality master plan for storm water management at the Eagle Point Golf Course and surrounding
lands using Low Impact Development measures and storm water best management practices. The ultimate goal is to
create a demonstration project for the local community and other area golf courses. The required matching funds
will be provided by Eagle Point Golf Course.
The grant application is available for review in the County Manager's Office.
Authorization to Submit Two Grant Applications to the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program
for 2009 Funding ? Sheriff?s Office
The Commissioners authorized the Sheriff?s Office to submit two grant applications to the North Carolina
Governor?s Highway Safety Program. The two project concept statements submitted by the Sheriff's Office have
been approved by the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program for 2009 grant funding. The funding process
requires submission of grant contracts and local government resolutions. The two grants applications are as follows:
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Second year funding for the Traffic Enforcement Project in the amount of $246,128. If awarded, the funds
will be used for personnel costs for four positions. The four positions were originally approved by the
County Commissioners on March 10, 2008, and budgeted through September 2008 (first year of grant).
The Sheriff is requesting General Fund contingency funds in the amount of $73,830 be used for the local
match requirement on salary/fringes. The project objective is to increase traffic enforcement in problem
areas with an emphasis on motorists driving while impaired.
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A concept statement for a 2009 Law Enforcement Liaison Reimbursement Grant in the amount of $20,000.
If awarded, the funds will be used for travel by Sheriff's Office personnel to assist in gathering traffic
statistics and coordinate the initiatives of "Booze It and Lose It" and "Click It or Ticket" campaigns for
Region 2. No local match is required.
Copies of the local government resolutions are hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and are
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 421
contained in Exhibit Book XXXI, Page 15.3.
Approval of Release of Tax Value ? Tax Department
The Commissioners approved the requests from the following taxpayers for the Senior Citizen/Disability
Exclusion:
Coleman, Penny H. $52,499
Hill, Samuel D. Myrtle 81,433
Perkins, Patricia H Etal (Kitty White) 69,408
Ward, Willard Jerry 61,995
The Commissioners approved the delinquent application for exemption from property tax for the following
organization:
Water of Life Lutheran Church, Inc. R07918-005-008-000
Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments ? Budget Department
The Commissioners adopted the following Budget Ordinance Amendments:
09-001 Health Department
2009-02 Finance
09-002 Sheriff's Office
2009-03 Sheriff's Office
2009-04 Sheriff's Office
Copies of the Budget Ordinance Amendments are hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and are
contained in Exhibit Book XXXI, Page 15.4.
REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS
PRESENTATION OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY SERVICE AWARDS
County Manager Shell requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards:
Five Year: Beverly Strickland ? Health Department
Shirley Hewitt ? Inspections Department
Grifton Matthews ? Property Management
Julian Cullifer ? Sheriff?s Office
John Dearmit ? Sheriff?s Office
Bradford Maynard ? Sheriff?s Office
Kevin Maynard ? Sheriff?s Office
Nora McCombs ? Sheriff's Office
Kathy McDonald ? Sheriff's Office
Dean Olinger ? Sheriff?s Office
Robert Pope ? Sheriff's Office
Christopher Rabaglia ? Sheriff?s Office
Mary Simmons ? Sheriff's Office
Michael Walters ? Sheriff's Office
Amy Womble ? Sheriff?s Office
Brenda Willis ? Department of Social Services
Toni Blake ? Sheriff?s Office
Ten Year: Candace Artis ? Health Department
Geraldine Tyson ? Property Management
Fifteen Year: Matthew Payne ? Sheriff?s Office
Donna Gray ? Department of Social Services
Twenty Year: Nancy Russ ? Health Department
Marie Clarkson ? Property Management
William Crowningshield ? Sheriff?s Office
James Dowdy ? Sheriff?s Office
Chadrick Lewis ? Sheriff?s Office
Twenty-five Year: Amy Akin ? Budget Department
Roosevelt Sidberry ? Environmental Management
Thirty Year: Delores Miller ? Environmental Management
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Greer presented a service award to each employee, expressed
appreciation and thanked them for their dedicated years of service.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 422
RECOGNITION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
County Manager Shell requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced:
Jan Christine ? Health Department
Curtis Futch ? Health Department
Caitlyn Ryan ? Health Department
Laura Shenkman ? Health Department
Kendel Gwynn ? Inspections Department
Tracy Haislip ? Inspections Department
Stacie Hansen ? Department of Social Services
Jacqueline Jones ? Department of Social Services
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Greer welcomed the new employees to County Government and wished
them success in their new positions.
PRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM ANNUAL REPORT
Director of New Hanover County Department of Social Services LaVaughn Nesmith requested Wanda
Marino, Assistant Director, New Hanover County Department of Social Services, present the report.
Ms. Marino reported that the Community Child Protection Team was established in compliance with North
Carolina General Statute to promote a community-wide approach to the problem of child abuse and neglect. The
team is composed of agency representatives, child advocates and citizens at-large who take action to identify and
address gaps or deficiencies in services and resources through several avenues.
In addition to the members mandated by law, up to five additional members may be appointed by the Board
of County Commissioners. The suggested list of members is as follows:
Melissa Perkins ? Wilmington Police Department
Lisa Savitts ? Sheriff?s Office
Teresa Fountain ? Wrightsville Beach Police Department
Karin MacKinnon ? Child Advocacy and Parenting Place Exchange Club Center
Amy Feath ? Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.
Mary Ann Lama ? Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc.
John Ranalli ? Juvenile Day Treatment Center
Diane Woolley ? Citizen-at-large
Ms. Marino requested that the Board accept the Community Child Protection Team report as informational
and the list of names to be appointed.
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Greer thanked Ms. Marino for the presentation of the Community Child
Protection Team report, and requested a motion from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Caster to accept the Community Child
Protection Team report as informational and the list of names to be appointed as presented. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the Community Child Protection Team report is available for review in the Department of Social
Services.
PRESENTATION ON WATER QUALITY IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY CREEKS BY COASTAL
PLANNING AND ENGINEERING
Environmental Planner Shawn Ralston reported thatin November 2007, New Hanover County contracted
with Coastal Planning and Engineering to test water quality at twenty-two locations on seven creeks located within
New Hanover County on a monthly basis. Water quality is currently monitored in Barnards Creek, Futch Creek,
Lords Creek, Motts Creek, Pages Creek, Prince Georges Creek and Smith Creek. At each sampling location, water
quality is monitored for biological, chemical and physical parameters. There are twenty-two sampling stations
measuring overall health of the watershed and addressing any health issues.
Monthly data is available on all these creeks via the County's web page. County staff meets monthly to
discuss water quality results, as well as bi-monthly with a community water quality panel to compare all water
quality data retrieved in New Hanover County.
Brad Rosov, with Coastal Planning and Engineering, presented the following information:
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Monitoring water quality to:
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Assess effects on flora and fauna
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Inform policy ? State Stormwater regulations
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Engage residents and citizens
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Rating System ? Good, Fair, Poor
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Sampling Results:
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Barnards Creek ? overall good rating
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 423
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Futch Creek ? overall good rating; poor rating for fecal coliform (undetermined source)
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Lords Creek ? equally good/fair rating
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Motts Creek ? overall good rating
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Pages Creek ? some good/fair ratings; poor ratings for dissolved oxygen, enterococci and
fecal coliform
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Prince Georges Creek ? overall good rating
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Smith Creek ? overall good rating
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Action taken:
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Data availability
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Signage posted
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Inform the residents
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Investigate infrastructure
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Source tracking (proposed)
In response to Board questions Mr. Rosov stated that the County is being proactive and his only suggestion
would be to move forward with the proposed source tracking. Once samples are secured the results will take
approximately one week.
In response to Board questions, Ms. Ralston reported that previous source tracking samples taken by
UNCW at Pages Creek showed no human contamination.
After a brief question and answer period, Chairman Greer thanked staff for the information.
Copies of the PowerPoint presentations are available for review in the Planning Department.
PUBLIC HEARING AND AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR RURAL
OPERATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS
Chairman Greer opened the Public Hearing and requested staff to make the presentation.
Assistant County Manager Chris Coudriet presented a brief overview of the request highlighting that there
is no required local match.
Wave Transit Assistant Director Arlanda Rouse reported that New Hanover County is eligible to receive
North Carolina Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistant Program funds in the amount of $276,336.
Funding must be used to provide transportation services to specific populations of the unincorporated areas of the
County.
The following funding categories and amounts as determined by NCDOT:
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Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program funds in the amount of $141,449
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Employment Transportation Assistance Program funds in the amount of $27,126
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Rural General Public Transportation Program funds in the amount of $107,761
Staff is requesting the Board conduct the public hearing and authorize Wave Transit to submit the
application for funds and if awarded, direct Chairman Greer and staff to execute the appropriate certifications and
assurances for the application and accept the grant funds.
Chairman Greer asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of or in opposition to the request.
Hearing no comments, Chairman Greer closed the Public Hearing and requested direction from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kopp, to authorize Wave Transit to
submit the grant application for funds to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistant
Program and if awarded, direct Chairman Greer and staff to execute the appropriate certifications and assurances for
the application and if awarded, accept the grant funds. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BREAK
Chairman Greer called for a break from 10:19 a.m. until 10:36 a.m.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION RELATING TO A CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOND ISSUE
Cape Fear Community CollegeBoard of Trustees Chairman Kenneth J. McGee and Cape Fear Community
College President Dr. Eric McKeithan presented an overview of the request for the proposed Bond Issue in an
amount not to exceed $164 million. The total cost for the projects is in the amount of $163 million and related
issuance cost in the amount of $1 million.
The proposed projects are as follows:
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Life Sciences Building on the Wilmington Campus. Estimated cost in the amount of $56,461,473 for a
138,900 square-foot building and structured parking to enable Cape Fear Community College to develop
new allied health curricula, double the size of the Registered Nursing program, expand other existing Allied
Health programs, and create additional biology classrooms/laboratories needed to support the expansion of
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 424
these health care programs, commensurate with the requests of local hospitals, physicians, and other
healthcare employers.
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Advanced and Emerging Technologies on the North Campus. Estimated cost is in the amount of
$49,696,431 for a 153,900 square-foot building to enable Cape Fear Community College to develop new
curricula such as Nuclear Maintenance Technology, Lasers and Photonics, Power Plan Technology,
Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and to expand various high demand programs in business and computer
related fields.
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Union Station on the Wilmington Campus. Estimated cost is $57,327,406 for a 139,000 square-foot
building and structured parking to replace student parking and classroom/laboratory spaces in the old metal
buildings located on former Cape Fear Community College property exchanged in 2006 with the City of
Wilmington, to provide additional classrooms/laboratories for general education courses to maintain
accreditation requirements, and to relieve extreme overcrowding in mission critical services for students
such as admissions, testing, counseling, financial aid, job placement, disability services, and business office
operations.
Dr. MeKeithan presented the basis for the request highlighting the following information:
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Local hospitals, physicians, and other medical care providers have indicated a need for new allied health
programs.
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Large and small employers are turning to Cape Fear Community College to provide highly advanced job
training for thousands of well paid technicians.
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Cape Fear Community College turned away nearly 1,000 prospective students in 2007-2008 due to a lack
of space.
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Applications for admission to Cape Fear Community College during the 2008 fall semester reflect an
increase of 30% over the previous year?s all-time record.
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Cape Fear Community College has approximately 40% less space per full-time student than the average
North Carolina community college.
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An exhaustive study found that an additional 431,000 square feet of facilities is needed to adequately serve
existing Cape Fear Community College enrollment and to meet the needs of a conservatively-projected
enrollment increase of 31% between 2007 and 2013.
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Enrollment in college credit programs increased by more than 9% during 2007-2008.
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Overcrowding of existing facilities means that students are not able to register for as many classes as
desired, thereby significantly delaying their graduation and entry into the job market.
The proposed facilities will be placed on existing Cape Fear Community College campuses, and no
additional property is needed or will be purchased with these funds. He requested the Board allow the referendum
to go before the voters.
In response to Board questions, Finance Director Avril Pinder reported that for the Board?s consideration is
a resolution authorizing staff to file an application with the Local Government Commission. She presented the
projected timeline stating that a public hearing will be held on September 2, 2008 and the Board considering the
final bond order resolution calling for the election. The cost of printing ballots for the referendum is in the amount
$56,000. The debt service on the tax rate is 4.9 cents for the proposed referendum. This amount is based on the
assumptions that bond interest rate ranges from 3% to 5% in the later years of the project and the tax rate $3.3
million per one cent with 1% annual growth. The County has the financial capacity to do the $163 million bond
referendum but that will place the County at a maximum debt burden of 1.9% out of 2%. Over time the debt service
will be paid down at a rate of approximately $25 - $30 million per year freeing up capacity.
Chairman Greer clarified that the resolution before the Board is the first step in the process. The Board will
consider the final resolution at their September 2, 2008 meeting.
Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Kopp clarified that the citizens need to realize that if they vote to
approve the $164 million bond referendum they are approving a tax rate increase of 5 cents for debt service.
Chairman Greer and Commissioner Kopp introduced for discussion the option of an advisory referendum
on the question whether to levy the One-Quarter Cent County Sales and Use Tax. The estimated amount of revenue
generated from the tax is in the amount of $8.7 million per year. Cape Fear Community College could ?pay as you
go? with the proceeds. The tax is not levied on food items. Over time, the amount would pay for two buildings, and
possibly three. There is no sunset clause and the citizens would need to approve the suspension of the tax.
The Board held a question and answer period and discussion concerning the County Sales and Use Tax
option with Attorney Wanda Copley clarifying that both options could be placed on the November ballot. By law,
the specific use of the sales tax cannot be listed on the ballot, but the Board by resolution, could designate the use of
the sales tax funds. The sales option is an advisory referendum, and even if approved by voters, would not be
required to be implemented. If the bond referendum is approved by voters, the expectation is that it would be
implemented.
Dr. McKeithan stated that the Community College would support either option but all three buildings are
needed as soon as possible or they would need to come back to the Board in two or three years.
J. Griffin Wells, Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees, stated his concern on the sales and use
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 425
tax option.
BREAK
Chairman Greer called for a break from 11:57 a.m. until 12:07 p.m.
Dr. McKeithan requested the Board move forward considering the request made by the Board of Trustees.
Chairman Greer reported that before the Board is a resolution making certain findings relating to the
authorization and issuance of general obligation bonds of the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and
authorizing the County Manager and the Finance Director to file application for approval thereof with the Local
Government Commission.
The Board is considering the authorization of general obligation bonds not to exceed $164 million for the
purpose of providing funds for providing facilities for Cape Fear Community College. These facilities will include
the construction of three buildings for classrooms, laboratories, training facilities, administrative offices and parking
facilities.
Chairman Greer requested direction from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Davis MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Pritchett, to adopt the resolution
authorizing staff to file an application with the Local Government Commission relating to a Cape Fear Community
College Bond Issue.
Substitute Motion:
Commissioner Kopp MOVED to adopt the resolution directing the Board of Elections to
conduct an advisory referendum on the question whether to levy the One-quarter Cent County Sales and Use Tax
with said question to be placed on the ballot for November 4, 2008 relating to a Cape Fear Community College
Bond Issue. No second was received, the MOTION FAILED.
Chairman Greer called for a vote on the motion.
Vote:
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 1. Commissioner Kopp voted in opposition.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book
XXXI, Page 15.5.
AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT A 2008 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE GRANT APPLICATION
Fire Chief Donnie Hall reported that the 2008 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant
was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to
help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities. He requested
authorization to submit a grant application as follows:
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$9,400 for a professionally designed and produced fire department marketing program designed to recruit
motivated people to volunteer in the fire service. No local match is required.
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$72,000 for an internship program with tuition reimbursement assistance for part-time volunteer positions
for resident college interns. College students enrolled in a four year program would receive $2,000 per
year and students enrolled in a two-year program would receive $1,000/year of tuition reimbursement.
Depending on the mix of students, the interns who participate could fill up to eighteen part-time slots. No
local match is required.
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$731,680 to pay a portion of the salary and benefits for six new additional full-time paid firefighter
positions for five years to bring two stations within compliance to meet NFPA and OSHA standards of a
four person crew for first out apparatus. The grant would provide a sliding scale portion of salary and
benefits for the addition of six paid firefighter positions over the next five years.
Total matching funds of $862,929 would be required over the five year period ($45,290 in Year 1, $82,504
in Year 2, $172,157 in Year 3, $236,144 in Year 4 and $326,834 in Year 5). The $45,290 in matching funds for
year 1 (FY08-09) were not specifically budgeted. The addition of up to eighteen part-time interns and six new full-
time positions would result in significant reduction to the number of temporary employees required. Funds
originally budgeted for temporary salaries would be applied to the $45,290 salary and benefit match. Future fiscal
year matching funds will be budgeted and funded by Fire Service District taxes. When grant funding ends, the six
full-time positions would continue to be funded by the Fire Service District. A budget amendment will be submitted
for approval if grant funds are awarded.
Chairman Greer asked for direction from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Caster, to authorize Fire Services to
submit a 2008 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Application. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the grant application is available for review in the County Manager's Office.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 426
APPOINTMENT OF VOTING DELEGATE TO THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Chairman Greer reported that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Annual
Conference will be held August 21 - 24, 2008 in Craven County, North Carolina. A voting delegate must be
appointed and submitted to the Association by August 6, 2008.
Chairman Greer requested direction from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Kopp MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Pritchett, to appoint Vice-Chairman
Caster, as the voting delegate to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference to be
held August 21-24, 2008 in Craven County, North Carolina. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Chairman Greer reported that one vacancy needs to be filled on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council in
the Under Age 18 category with two applications having been received for consideration.
Commissioner Pritchett nominated Nicholas Scaraff. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner
Kopp.
Chairman Greer nominated Kelly Yerkes. No second was received.
Chairman Greer called for a vote on the nomination.
Vote:
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Nicholas Scarff to serve a two year term on the Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council with the term to expire September 30, 2010.
Appointments to the Planning Board
Chairman Greer reported two vacancies need to be filled on the Planning Board with one applicant eligible
for reappointment with twelve new applications having been received and requested nominations from the Board.
Motion:
Commissioner Kopp MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Caster, to reappoint Kenneth F. Wrangell
to serve a three year term on the Planning Board with the term to expire on July 31, 2011. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Davis nominated Brad Rosov. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Pritchett.
Vice-Chairman Caster nominated C. Andrew Heath, Jr. The nomination was seconded by Chairman Greer.
Commissioner Pritchett nominated Jeff Bellows. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Kopp.
In discussion on the nomination of Brad Rosov, Chairman Greer stated his concern that Mr. Rosov was
employed by Coastal Planning and Engineering who the County contracts with for monitoring of the creeks. Due to
a possible conflict of interest Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Pritchett withdrew the nomination.
Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Greer called for a vote on the nominations.
Vote
: The Board voted 3 TO 2 to appoint C. Andrew Heath, Jr. to serve on the Planning Board with the term to
expire July 31, 2011.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow the public to present an item that was not
listed on the regular agenda. He requested all persons speaking to limit their remarks to three minutes.
No items were presented.
ADDITIONAL ITEM
CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE
Commissioner Kopp suggested that the Board appoint a Solid Waste Management Task Force to study the
issue and bring recommendations back to the Board for consideration at their December 1, 2008 meeting. He
suggested that each Board member recommend one qualified citizen to sit on the task force.
After brief discussion, the Board directed staff to place the item on the August 4, 2008 Agenda for
consideration.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
REGULAR MEETING, JULY 21, 2008 PAGE 427
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Greer requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion:
Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Caster to adjourn the meeting. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board