2011-02-15 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING,FEBRUARY 15,2011 PAGE 119
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting with the Wrightsville Beach
Town Council on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Resort, 1706 North Lumina Avenue,
Wrightsville Beach,North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson;
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; Commissioner Brian M.Berger;and Commissioner Richard G. Catlin.
Staff members present were: Deputy Attorney Kemp Burpeau; Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schuh and
County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Wrightsville Beach members present were: Mayor David L. Cignotti and Alderman Susan Collins. Mayor
Pro Tern Lisa Weeks; Alderman William J.Blair,III;and Alderman William E. Sisson were absent.
Wrightsville Beach staff members present were: Town Attorney John C. Wessell, III, Town Manager
Robert F. Simpson,and Town Clerk Sylvia J. Holleman.
Chairman Barfield and Mayor Cignotti welcomed everyone present and announced that the purpose of the
meeting was to hold a joint meeting with the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen.
Vice-Chairman Thompson provided the invocation.
DISCUSSION WITH WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Discussion was held with the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen concerning the following issues:
• Property taxes — discussion was held concerning the upcoming revaluation in FY2012-2013 and the
request to keep the rate revenue neutral and not increase the County's property tax. Currently
Wrightsville Beach residents are paying a total of 56.45 cents combined (9.9 cents to Wrightsville
Beach and 46.55 cents to New Hanover County).
• R3 Environmental update—Vice-Chairman Thompson reported that R3 has a deadline of April 2,2011
for completion of their due diligence. On April 3, 2011 the County will know whether R3 has been
successful and will continue to fulfill the terms of the contract or if another route will need to be
determined.
• Recycling - Town Manager Simpson reported that currently the Town is spending on average
approximately$86,000 on recycling and requested the Board consider a request to fund approximately
50%of this amount since much of the recycling is due to other residents and/or tourists.
• No Discharge Zone — discussion was held concerning the difficulty in enforcing the No Discharge
Zone and ensuring that pump stations are adequate in number for the demand and in working order.
The suggestion was made that the Town work with NHC-TV to produce a segment on the issue to
inform the public; Chairman Barfield offered to address the issue in his E-Newsletter that goes to over
3,000 people; and that contact be made with Congressman McIntyre to address the issue with him
since the oversight of the Zone is at the Federal and State level.
• Emergency Management Operations Center at the Executive Development Center at the Northeast
Library—discussion was held on the feasibility of the Town using the Executive Development Center
at the Northeast Library when the need arises for emergency management operations off of the island.
County Manager Shell will work with Town Manager Simpson to find a workable resolution.
• Tourism Development Authority — an update was provided on the progress of including the beach
communities in the marketing and public relations materials used by the Tourism Development
Authority and the staff of the Wilmington Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau including
the request to place the proper names of Carolina Beach,Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach adjacent
with the City of Wilmington on the official logo. The importance of a tourism partnership with all the
stakeholders involved was discussed.
• Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission's Permitting Contingency Plan — discussion was held
concerning the cost sharing formula for beach renourishment based on four different scenarios which
depend on the level of future Federal and State funding.
• Bike Paths — discussion was held on the Town's desire to connect into the bike paths being planned
through Wilmington and the County and requested the Board keep them in mind for future
projects/connections/funds.
• Plastic Bags—Vice-Chairman Thompson reported that he has received emails from one of the Board
of Alderman concerning a ban on plastic bags and requested the Town address the issue collectively
and bring forward a united request.
• Sea-Level Rise Proposed Policy — discussion was held concerning the North Carolina Division of
Coastal Management's recently developed sea-level rise policy language which would add a new
section to the State's code governing coastal management within Coastal Area Management Act
counties and would be used for future regulations. Commissioner Catlin reported that he is in the
process of writing a response to address concerns about the formula that is being used and will bring
the issue forward in the near future.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING,FEBRUARY 15,2011 PAGE 120
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Chairman Barfield and Mayor Cignotti adjourned the Special Meeting at
9:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board