2011-01-14 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING,JANUARY 14,2011 PAGE 110
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting on Friday,January 14,2011,
at 8:30 a.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government
Center Drive, Wilmington,North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson;
Commissioner Brian M. Berger; Commissioner Richard G. Catlin; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the
Board Sheila L. Schutt; County Manager Bruce T. Shell and Assistant County Managers Andre' Mallette and Chris
Coudriet.
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. was absent.
Legislators present were: Representative Carolyn Justice;Representative Danny McComas;Representative
Susi Hamilton;and Senator-Elect Thom Goolsby.
WELCOME AND INVOCATION
Chairman Barfield welcomed everyone present and announced that the meeting was being held in honor of
our local legislative delegation with the purpose to allow the delegation to meet with the Commissioners to get
acquainted.
Vice-Chairman Thompson provided the invocation.
DISCUSSION WITH LOCAL STATE LEGISLATORS
Discussion was held with the local State Legislators concerning the following issues:
• Airport Authority members serving at the"pleasure of the Board of Commissioners." The Legislators
requested the Board present the request to change legislation in the form of a unanimous resolution
with the wording that Airport Authority members can be removed by a "unanimous loss of
confidence of the Board of Commissioners."
• ABC privatization. The Legislators assured the Board that when reviewing this issue they would
work to ensure that any changes made,would hold counties harmless.
• Property crime sentencing. Discussion focused on the need to stop the"revolving door" from repeat
property crime felons.
• Economic development and job creation which includes further development of the arts and filming
industry.
• Potential State budget cuts to education. The legislators requested a Board-approved list of education
priorities(i.e. Smart Start,More at Four,etc).
• Forced Annexation. Discussion focused on the need to change the annexation laws.
Vice-Chairman Thompson presented the following issues for discussion:
• A Local Act to elect the chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for two-year
terms.
• A North Carolina Constitutional Amendment limiting the terms of County Commissioners to two
consecutive four-year terms.
• A Local Act to allow the County to impound motor vehicles that do not have valid license plates,
registration, or insurance.
After discussion, the Legislators requested that the Board unanimously approve a formal list of priorities,
compiled in resolution form, and then schedule a meeting in the next thirty days to meet, review, and discuss the
priorities.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Chairman Barfield thanked the Legislators for their time and adjourned
the Special Meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schutt
Clerk to the Board