2011-05-16 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 192
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, May 16, 2011, at
9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington,NC.
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. Schuh and Assistant County Manager Andre' Mallette.
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. arrived at 9:05 a.m.
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Patricia A.Melvin,International Embassy of Holiness,provided the invocation.
Commissioner Berger led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Barfield asked if any member of the Board would like to remove or discuss any item on the
Consent Agenda.
Hearing no comments, Chairman Barfield called for a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda
as presented.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Barfield,to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented. Upon vote,the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes—Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the following minutes as presented by the Clerk to the Board:
Special Meeting held on April 28,2011
Closed Session Meeting held on April 28,2011
Agenda Review Meeting held on April 28,2011
Budget Work Session Meeting held on May 2,2011
Regular Meeting held on May 2, 2011
Special Meeting held on May 3, 2011
Approval of New Hanover County Alcohol Beverage Control Board Travel Policy — New Hanover County
ABC Board
The Commissioners approved revisions to the travel policy for the NHC ABC Board. New legislation
requires that ABC Board's travel policies mirror the appointing authority's travel policy or the State's travel policy;
minor differences have been corrected in the revision to mirror the County's policy.
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Installment Purchase Contract with RBC Bank and Adoption of
Budget Ordinance Amendment 11-242—Finance Department/Fire Services
The Commissioners adopted the resolution authorizing the installment purchase contract with RBC Bank to
finance the acquisition of one Pierce fire pumper and two Pierce dryside tankers for Fire Services and adopted
Budget Ordinance Amendment 11-242 in the total amount of$943,319.
Copies of the resolution and budget ordinance amendment are hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes
and are contained in Exhibit Book XXXIV,Page 8.1.
Adoption of Resolution Approving the Disposal of Surplus Property—Finance Department
The Commissioners, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160A-270(c), adopted the
resolution approving the disposal of surplus property.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book
XXXIV,Page 8.2.
Authorization to Submit a Grant Application to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services for Refugee Health Program Funds—Health Department
The Commissioners authorized the Health Department to submit a grant application to the North Carolina
Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Refugee Health Program in the amount of
$9,500. If accepted, the full application is due in July 2011. If awarded, the funds will be used to support the
services provided to refugees and would cover the cost of interpreters, staff training expenses, and replace County
funds for certain staff salaries. No local match is required.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 193
Approval of Revisions to the Library Advisory Board By-Laws—Library
The Commissioners approved minor changes to the Library Advisory Board By-Laws in Article II—Membership,
Section 3 to read as follows: Non-voting ex-officio members shall be the Library Director, the President of the
NHC Friends of the Public Library, and the President of the Library Foundation of NHC.
Approval of New Hanover County Board of Education Capital Outlay Fund Budget Amendment#5—Budget
Department
The Commissioners, at the request of the New Hanover County Board of Education, approved Capital
Outlay Fund Budget Amendment#5 transferring funds within the Schools Capital Outlay Fund. Funds were moved
from contingency to fund the New Hanover High School boiler replacement and Laney High School lighting retrofit
projects. Project savings from other projects were also moved to the contingency account. There is no change in the
fund total.
A copy of the budget amendment is available for review in the Budget Department.
Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments—Budget Department
The Commissioners adopted the following Budget Ordinance Amendments for fiscal year ending June 30,
2011:
11-224-Health
11-236-Health
11-237-Health
11-238-Health
11-239- Social Services
11-241 -Parks/Gardens/Senior Resource Center
2011-44-Finance
2011-51 -Finance
2011-52- Sheriff's Office
2011-53 - Sheriff's Office
Copies of the budget ordinance amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are
contained in Exhibit Book XXXIV,Page 8.3.
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: Patricia Aguilera,Department of Social Services
Lena Butler,Finance Department
Kelly Honeycutt,Health Department
James Johnson,Parks, Gardens& Senior Resources
Daniel Kinney,Department of Social Services
John Still,Planning&Inspections
Stacy Tolley,Parks, Gardens& Senior Resources
Jane Walker,Health Department
Ten Year: Brenda Hegarty,Department of Social Services
Lisa James,Department of Social Services
Fifteen Year: Asami Martin,Department of Social Services
Michelle Williams,Department of Social Services
Twenty Year: Sherlyn Grantham,Department of Social Services
Sheila Jamerson,Health Department
Twenty-Five Year: Wilma Daniels,Department of Social Services
Delisa Derseraux,Health Department
Susan Jaindl, County Manager's Office
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Barfield presented a service award to each employee, expressed
appreciation,and thanked them for their years of dedicated service.
RECOGNITION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
County Manager Shell requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced:
Kimberly Chrispin,Department of Social Services
Nadia McNair,Department of Social Services
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Barfield welcomed the employees to County Government and wished
them success in their new positions.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 194
ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNE 2011 AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS
MONTH IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Cape Fear Elder Abuse Prevention Network representatives Marianna B. Stacy and Jane Jones presented
the request for the Board's consideration to proclaim June 2011 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in New Hanover
County and were present to receive the proclamation as well as other members of the Network.
Commissioner Davis read the proclamation into the record and moved for adoption.
Motion: Commissioner Davis MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Thompson, to adopt the proclamation
recognizing June 2011 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book
XXXIV,Page 8.4.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL UPDATE
New Hanover County Airport Authority Chairman Paul G. Burton presented the annual update with
highlights as follows:
• ILM set new passenger record in 2010-821,940
• General Aviation traffic improved 1.2%in 2010;up 3%so far for 2011
• International traffic increased 6.5%in 2010
• Outstanding Performance-2010 Airport Certification Inspection sixth year with no discrepancies
• TSA expects AIT(full body scanners)by year end
• ILM passengers come from the following areas:
• New Hanover-202,667
• Brunswick- 107,431
• Pender-52,217
• Columbus-58,098
• Bladen-35,190
• Onslow-177,772
• Duplin-58,505
• Sampson-63,431
• Horry, SC-60,628(northeast section only)
• Total: 815,939
• Total passengers in 2001 -491,777;total passengers in 2010-821,940
• Airfield improvements for safety and future growth value=$4.7 million
• Facility improvements value=$2.7 million
• As an independent Airport Authority no subsidization from the County
• The annual budget is approximately$6.6 million
• Federal Funding: 1983-1997 in the amount of$15,249,294; 1998-2010 in the amount of$61,713,896
• Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic- 104,000 square foot facility opening in Spring 2013
• The following non-stop service to seven destinations:
• American Eagle-Chicago(July 2, 2011)
• Delta Connection-Atlanta
• US Airways-New York,Philadelphia, Charlotte,Washington
• Allegiant Air-Orlando/Sanford
• Five international gateways offering one-stop service to the world
• Projects on planning board:
• Terminal planning for new gates
• New Jetway for Gate 7
• Pavement rehab programmed for taxiway A,B,F and H with LED Lighting
• New checkpoint screening equipment
• New parking lot with 318 spaces
• Secondary water source
After a brief question and answer period, hearing no further comments, on behalf of the Board, Chairman
Barfield thanked Mr.Burton for the update.
PRESENTATION ON PROPOSAL FOR NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER TO ENTER
INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH CAROLINAS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board Chairman David Sims and President and CEO Jack Barto,
Jr. presented the request for the Board's consideration for New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) to
enter into a partnership with Carolinas HealthCare System(CHS)highlighting the following:
• Despite a volatile healthcare landscape and an economic recession, NHRMC has delivered strong,
steady performance over the last several years:
• Consistently achieving an operating margin of around 3% and growing days cash on hand,
resulting in an Al/A+bond rating
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 195
• Cut employee turn-over in half to about 10.5%
• Increased patient satisfaction to over the 80th percentile nationally
• Improving quality metrics(core measures)to 99%and sustaining one of the best Cardiology door-
to-balloon times in the Country
• Maintaining strong market share of 79%in primary service area and 50%in total service area
• Providing over$130 million of uncompensated care annually
• Completed the Master Facility Plan,an investment of$250 million in our community
• No lay-offs, annual raises for employees, and employee health insurance premiums flat for 7 years
• The healthcare landscape has never been more volatile or uncertain; meanwhile, the national and state
economic crisis has only exacerbated the challenges:
• Providers squeezed by reimbursement reductions, physician shortages, volume declines, payor
mix deterioration,tighter capital markets,etc.
• Health reform will bring greater regulatory burdens and unfunded mandates - $188,000 reduction
to NHRMC reimbursement over ten years
• Unemployment in NC and locally has doubled in the past few years resulting in more uninsured,
leading to higher bad debt and charity care
• Fitch, Moody's, and S&P all have a negative outlook for the healthcare sector and are issuing
more downgrades than upgrades
• Cost efficient providers with solid care management and physician alignment will be in best
position
• According to Moody's, "Market forces will favor larger health systems that have scale advantages,
likely driving consolidation"
• Hospitals will increasingly compete on performance metrics including quality, safety, satisfaction,
and access
• Over the last fifteen years,NHRMC has grown moderately as regional players have grown rapidly
• NHRMC's proactive approach and strong performance demonstrates that it has positioned itself well
within the current environment. Due to the rapidly changing landscape, healthcare reform, and
consolidating market, as an independent provider, NHRMC may no longer be able to forgo the
advantages of scale.
• NHRMC needs to access key drivers of success that come with scale,including:
• Quality infrastructure,protocols, and benchmarks
• Economies of scale(supplies,pharmaceuticals,contracts,equipment,etc.)
• Revenue cycle enhancements(coding,denials, etc.)
• Clinical and operational best practices
• Bench depth,managerial/clinical resources,and industry knowledge
• Ability to expand/partner in our region
• At the same time,NHRMC needs to:
• Maintain local ownership and governance
• Remain public and not privatize
• Protect local jobs and employee benefits
• Continue strong physician relationships
• CHS and NHRMC's shared elements —backgrounds, missions, and interests — are many. The tight
cultural fit and harmony of values between the systems is rare and accentuates why an affiliation
makes sense.
• Publicly owned,not-for-profit systems
• Safety-net providers for their communities
• Successful, leading organizations
• North Carolina based
• Teaching mission
• Shared public hospital missions
• Long histories of serving the needs of their respective communities
• The structure of a Management Agreement is unique. It is not a merger or privatization, yet has the
ability to broadly enhance NHRMC's strategic, financial and clinical standing, all while maintaining
local governance and ownership.
• Potential clinical and financial benefits of collaboration:
• Continuing commitment to quality and access to best practices
• System-wide quality and operational benchmarking
• Access to clinical expertise and protocols
• Collaboration on disease specific certification(e.g. Stroke)
• Support for and development of local tertiary services
• Physician recruitment and infrastructure
• Potential link to medical school
• Revenue cycle enhancements via coding,denials,etc.
• Supply purchasing and contracts
• Purchased services contracts,preferred vendor agreements,professional/general insurance, etc.
• Capital savings through group purchases, service agreements,project management, etc.
• Access to management team bench depth and System-specific best practices
• Potential to create southeastern NC system with New Hanover as hub
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 196
• A management agreement with CHS makes sense for NHRMC today because:
• We are entering a period of unprecedented turmoil in healthcare and scale offers advantages
• Scale and financial performance highly correlated
• Cost reduction and quality improvement will increasingly determine health system success and
both are supported by scale
• The Board (and County Commissioners) maintains local governance with ultimate authority over
patient care, staffing, capital spending, operations, services offered, etc. Ownership and credit/debt
structures remain independent.
• CHS is positioned to assist with NHRMC's quality initiatives over the short-medium-and long-term
• New Hanover's current financial strength makes it attractive to CHS and allows it to favorably
negotiate the terms of the agreement
• A strong bottom line provides NHRMC with the resources to best serve the needs of this community.
In closing, the agreement would ensure that governance and ownership remains local, while also giving
NHRMC the ability to collaborate with the nation's second largest public, not-for-profit health system on clinical
and operational best practices, quality initiatives, economies of scale, acquisition of technology, business
management, strategic planning and medical research and education. A slight modification of the current NHRMC
lease with New Hanover County is needed in order to move forward. The NHRMC Board of Trustees supports this
modification and the proposed management agreement.
Chairman Barfield led the Board in an extensive question and answer period concerning terms of the
proposed Agreement:
• Termination of Agreement section — wording reflecting "unanimous" vote as opposed to "majority"
vote in reference to the terms of how the Board of Trustees may terminate the agreement with CHS.
CHS representatives stated that they support the wording as proposed and would not be open to
changing it.
• Key Personnel section— discussion on the President (CEO)position being an employee of CHS and
the conflict of interest that it may cause in who will be the Board's liaison. Mr. Barto explained that in
his opinion that would be no conflict. CHS will work for the Board of Trustees.
In response to Board questions of why only CHS was vetted for a potential partnership, Mr. Barto
responded that CHS has a proven track record.
In closing, Chairman Barfield announced that the previous discussion will be aired on NHC-TV with a
public hearing scheduled for the Board's June 6,2011 meeting.
BREAK
Chairman Barfield called for a break from 10:42 a.m.until 10:56 a.m.
APPROVAL OF SMITH CREEK NATURE CENTER LAND ACQUISITION WITH FUNDING FROM
THE 2006 PARKS BOND REFERENDUM
Parks, Gardens and Senior Resources Director Jim McDaniel presented the request for the Board's
consideration to purchase 87 acres of property to develop the Smith Creek Nature Center. The purchase price is in
the amount of$3.8 million with funding allocated from the 2006 Parks Bond referendum funds dedicated for land
acquisition.
The proposed land acquisition will provide key access to our Smith Creek Greenway Trails System. It will
help open up areas for walking, hiking and biking on County owned property from the Cape Fear River, past the
proposed property purchase, then through Ogden Park. From Ogden Park there is potential to tie into the existing
bike/walking trails and the Cross City Trail providing miles of public access. The goal is to provide a center for
ongoing passive use and promote good public access to open space. At this time, there are no immediate plans to
develop the park beyond acquiring the property.
In response to Board questions,David Swain,with Swain and Associates, confirmed that he has acquired a
total of 148 acres from the bank in the amount of$6 million and has offered to sell the County 87 of those acres for
the same price as was offered by Robin Grathwol's Legacy Group.
Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield requested direction from the Board.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Barfield, to approve the Smith Creek
Nature Center Land Acquisition with funding from the 2006 Parks Bond referendum in the amount of$3.8 million
as presented. Upon vote,the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10-YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS ANNUAL UPDATE
10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Strategic Director Dan Ferrell presented the annual update
with highlights as follows:
• Fundamental Objectives:
• Eliminate chronic homelessness in the Cape Fear Region within 10 Years (2018) by moving
chronically homeless people rapidly into permanent supportive housing.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 197
• Reduce general homelessness(families;non-disabled adults;children,etc.).
• Increase community collaboration and eliminate duplication of services.
• Reduce costs to local government, law enforcement and medical providers by eliminating "random
ricochet" effect.
• January 2011 Point in Time Count Shows Reduction:
• 483 total homeless(down from 630 in 2010)
• 325 homeless adults(down from 486 in 2010)
• 68 chronically homeless(down from 118 in 2010)
• Programs:
• Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Re-housing Program
• Social Security Outreach,Access and Response(SOAR)Initiative
• Circles of Support
• Continuing collaboration with Wilmington Downtown, Inc., Downtown Business Alliance and other
interested organizations
• Continuing emphasis on use of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for homeless mental health
interventions
• The 10-Year Plan in partnership with the United Way will continue to lead collaboration on the
homelessness initiative throughout our community and will continue to search for additional resources,
federal, state, private, corporate and faith-based, that can be used to magnify the dollars the City of
Wilmington and New Hanover County have provided.
After a brief question and answer period, hearing no further comments, on behalf of the Board, Chairman
Barfield thanked Mr.Ferrell for the update.
PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
Assistant County Manager Andre' Mallette presented the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Recommended Budget
with highlights from the presentation as follows:
• Proposed constant tax rate of.4655 cents
• Decrease in tax base results in decrease of revenue by$1.6 million.
• Strategic Planning initiatives:
• Superior Public Health, Safety and Education:
• Increased funding for Cape Fear Community College(CFCC)operations
• Funding for Debt Service for New Hanover County Schools and CFCC
• Increased County funding for Health Department
• Intelligent Growth and Economic Development:
• An amount of $300,000 is recommended to fund economic development initiatives that are
identified by the Commissioners during FYI 1-12
• Strong Financial Performance:
• The recommended budget maintains a strong appropriate level of fund balance in the amount of$3
million
• A higher than usual contingency amount of $750,000 is recommended due to uncertainty in
state/federal budget actions and uncertainty of the strength of the recovery
• Productive Strategic Partnerships:
• Meetings are taking place between the County Commissioners and elected leaders of the
municipalities in the County, with the goal of providing services to all County citizens in the most
efficient and cooperative manner possible.
• The County Commissioners and Board of Education are planning to have regular meetings and
more frequent communications on the School's accomplishments and needs. The FYII-12
School's budget will be approved with a greater level of detail to improve understanding between
the two elected Boards.
• Effective County Management:
• A new automated system is being recommended for Department of Social Services at a net County
cost of $452,000. When fully implemented and operational, the DSS Automation project is
expected to allow economic services to effectively manage more cases per worker, which will
significantly reduce future needs for staffing.
• The Library is in the process of securing grant funding to automate the checkout process in all
Libraries. Once the system is fully functional and the public is comfortable with it, this change
will allow the Library to keep pace with growing demand, continue to provide exceptional service,
and enable the more efficient use of County Library staff.
• Funding in the amount of $275,000 is recommended for the computer replacement program,
which has not been funded in the past two budgets.
• Town Hall meetings and citizen's academies are being held to improve communication with, and
education of,the citizens which will lead to a stronger County and a more informed citizen.
• Personnel Issues:
• Seventeen positions requested in General Fund—one recommended for Elections
• Elimination of Furloughs-$1 million
• 1%merit adjustment for County employees
• No increase in County funding for health insurance
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 198
• Education:
• NHC Schools-$61.6 million for current operations; $22.3 million for debt service
• CFCC-$6.2 million for current operations; $10.4 million for debt service
• Outside Agencies:
• Request for funding increased by$700,000 above FY10-11 Budget
• Constant funding is recommended with no increase
• Expenditures by function:
• Education is the largest expenditure followed by the Human Services programs.
• In the current budget(FY10-11)education is 36.8%of the General Fund.
• Revenue:
• Sales Tax revenue is estimated to increase$7.7 million from FY10-11 to FYI 1-12
• Fund balance of$3 million has been proposed to be appropriated in FYI 1-12 (increase of$3 million
from FY10-11)
• Revenue by category:
• Ad Valorem Taxes (59.9%), together with Sales Taxes (17.8 0/o), comprise 77.7% of total County
revenues.
• Environmental Management:
• The Environmental Management Fund budget is based on continuing the landfill and drop-off
recycling program.
• A tipping fee of$59 per ton is recommended,which is an increase of$3.35 over the current tipping fee
of$55.65 per ton.
• It is estimated that the $59 per ton tipping fee will generate $2.5 million, which can be used to pay
back a portion of the projected $5.2 million borrowed from the General Fund, or establish a future
reserve for improvements in the waste disposal system.
• Special Fire Service District Fund:
• The tax rate of 6.75 cents is recommended for the Fire Service District; an increase of.75 cents from
the FY10-11 tax rate.
• The ad valorem tax base in the Fire Service District is estimated to be $12.7 billion. This is a $.1
million decrease from the FY10-11 base. The value of a penny is estimated to be$1.2 million.
• Three new positions
• Increased temporary salary line
• Increased Volunteer Incentive Program to$100,000 from$50,000
• Installment debt for two tankers(approved in FY10-11)
• Next Steps:
• June 6-Public Hearing on FYI 1-12 Recommended Budget
• June 20 -Commissioners adopt FYI 1-12 Budget
Chairman Barfield led the Board in discussion of the recommended budget.
Chairman Barfield stated that he supports the budget as recommended with an increase in school funding in
the amount of$600,000 to be allocated for teachers and teacher assistants. He stated that he supports the elimination
of employee furloughs and the 1%merit increase. When the public votes to approve bond referendums,they need to
realize that property taxes will need to be raised to pay the bonded debt.
Commissioner Davis stated that he supports the budget as recommended with the exception that the
proposed 1%employee merit increase in the amount of$600,000 be allocated to the Schools for operations as well
as $400,000 from fund balance, keeping the $750,000 allocated to capital expenditures. He stated that he supports
the elimination of employee furloughs bringing employees back to their salary rates of three years ago.
In response to Board questions, Finance Director Avril Pinder reported that allocating any amount above
the recommended$3 million from fund balance would have a negative impact on the County's bond rating.
Commissioner Catlin stated that he supports the budget as recommended with an increase in funding to the
schools in the amount of $600,000 and requested further employee cuts be examined and no merit increase be
included.
Vice-Chairman Thompson stated that he supports the budget as recommended with an additional
contribution to the schools. He supports no further employee furloughs and supports the 1% merit increase to
deserving employees. He suggested funding the schools in the proposed amount of $750,000 for capital
expenditures and increase operating funding in the amount of$600,000 with a review of the Schools 225 fund for
potential partial allocation.
Commissioner Berger stated that he supports the budget as recommended with no further employee
furloughs with the following exceptions of deferring the proposed 1% employee merit increase for another year,
consideration of eliminating the proposed funding of the Safe Light program in the amount of$200,000,the addition
of a couple of Social Services positions to assist with the increased caseload, and voiced concern on budgeting
$300,000 for economic development without set strategies.
Chairman Barfield commented that the proposal to allocate funds to economic development will be the
beginning stages that will allow the Board to fund opportunities as they arise. He cautioned the Board that bonded
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 199
debt will be increasing as the same time the impact of revaluation is felt.
After continued discussion, Chairman Barfield stated that there appears to be Board consensus on the need
for additional funding for schools and the elimination of employee furloughs.
APPROVAL OF ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH WILMINGTON DOWNTOWN,INC.
Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI) Board of Directors Chairman David Spetrino reported that for the
Board's consideration is the request to renew Contract 06-0219 in the amount of$21,086 which runs through June
30, 2011 but requested, in lieu of renewing the current contract, to consider a one year contract with a $50,000
investment with the following performance measures to be met or exceeded:
• Increase commercial occupancy of available space from currently 77%to a minimum of 82%.
• Recruit three new businesses from outside the greater Wilmington metro area to the central business
district.
• Add 100 new jobs to new and existing businesses through the WDI loan program.
In response to Board questions,Mr. Spetrino reported that if WDI is unable to meet the benchmarks by the
end of the one year contract term there would be no expectation of future support from the County.
In response to Board questions,Mr. Spetrino defined the greater Wilmington metro area as the area outside
of New Hanover County and that the requested increase in funding would be used to fund an additional position to
assist in reaching the recommended performance measures.
Commissioner Berger commended Mr. Spetrino for linking funding to performance and requested the
consideration of a one-year contract with$25,000 base and$25,000 in incentive funding if/when the benchmarks are
reached.
Mr. Spetrino responded that the additional funds are needed to accomplish the benchmarks and WDI needs
to be given the resources to do the job effectively.
Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield requested direction from the Board.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Catlin, to approve renewing a one
year contract with Wilmington Downtown, Inc. with funding to be determined during the regular budget process.
Upon vote,the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING FUND
New Hanover County Schools Chief Financial Officer Mary Hazel Small and Facility Planning and
Construction Director Eddie Anderson presented the request for the Board's consideration to approve funding for
Public School Building Fund Applications in the amount of$4,091,500; $3,691,500 will be allocated from lottery
funds and$400,000 from E-Rate Revenue.
Chairman Barfield requested direction from the Board.
Motion: Commissioner Catlin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Thompson, to approve funding for New
Hanover County Public School Building Fund Applications in the amount of$4,091,500. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the budget amendment is available for review in the Budget Department.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority
Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy needs to be filled on the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer
Authority with four applications available for the Board's consideration.
Vice-Chairman Thompson nominated William A. Kopp. The nomination was seconded by Chairman
Barfield.
Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote on the nomination.
Vote: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint William A. Kopp, Jr. to serve a three-year term on the
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority with the term to expire on May 13, 2014.
Appointments to the Cooperative Extension Advisory Council
Chairman Barfield reported that seven vacancies exist on the Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with
two applicants eligible for reappointment and one application available for the Board's consideration.
Chairman Barfield nominated Ted Davis, III and Amanda Davis for reappointment and nominated Virginia
Teachey for appointment. The nomination was seconded by Vice-Chairman Thompson.
Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote on the nominations.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
REGULAR MEETING,MAY 16,2011 PAGE 200
Vote: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Ted Davis, III and Amanda Davis and appoint Virginia
Teachey to serve three-year terms on the Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with the terms to expire on May
31,2014.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Barfield announced that time has been reserved to allow the public to present an item that was
not listed on the regular agenda.
James Martin, Carolina Beach Road business owner, voiced his concern on the impending sign ordinance
that is to be enacted on August 6,2011 in the unincorporated area of Carolina Beach Road and the financial hardship
the ordinance will have on business owners.
In response to statements made by Mr. Martin, and at the request of the Board, Assistant County Manager
Chris Coudriet reported that the sign ordinance was adopted by the Board in 2001 with an effective date of August,
15, 2011. The ordinance applies to the unincorporated area of Carolina Beach Road. The County Manager is
planning to bring the ordinance to the Board's attention at their meeting in June 2011 for the purpose of getting
direction of whether to proceed with implementation as approved or to request staff to evaluate whether this is the
right ordinance and the right time to enforce the ordinance.
Vice-Chairman Thompson reported that when the ordinance was adopted in 2001 notification letters were
sent to the affected businesses and they have had ten years to comply. He added that he is not opposed to revisiting
the issue given the current economic downturn.
Justin LaNasa, Front Street, stated that he is in the tattoo industry and voiced his concern on the job
performance of Environmental Health workers, Ms. Walker and Mr. Gibbs. He stated that he has spoken with
Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau on several occasions and that there has been a lack of action taken on his
allegations. He requested the Board conduct a proper investigation into the allegations.
Chairman Barfield responded that as the Board's representative on the Board of Health he would speak
with Health Director David Rice on the statements made by Mr. LaNasa.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board offered condolences to the family of Gary Shell who passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2011.
Mr. Shell is the brother of County Manager Bruce Shell and worked for several years in the City of Wilmington's
Parks and Recreation Department.
There being no further business, Chairman Barfield requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Catlin MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Barfield, to adjourn the meeting. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
meeting. The entire proceedings are available for review and check-out at all New Hanover County Libraries and
on www.nhggov.com/NHCLive or www.nhcgov.com paQes.BOC/asps