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2012-02-20 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32 REGULAR MEETING,FEBRUARY 20,2012 PAGE 334 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, February 20, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington,NC. Members present: Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Jason R. Thompson; and Commissioner Richard G. Catlin. Chairman Ted Davis, Jr. was absent. Commissioner Brian M. Berger arrived at 9:02 a.m. Staff present: County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schuh and County Manager Bruce T. Shell. NON-SECTARIAN INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice-Chairman Barfield provided the invocation and Commissioner Thompson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Vice-Chairman Barfield asked if any member of the Board would like to remove or discuss any item on the Consent Agenda. Hearing no comments, Vice-Chairman Barfield called for a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Motion: Commissioner Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Catlin, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote,the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes—Governing Body The Commissioners approved the minutes from the following meetings as presented by the Clerk to the Board: Closed Session meeting held on January 23,2012 Agenda Review Meeting held on February 2,2012 Closed Session meeting held on February 2, 2012 Regular Meeting held on February 6, 2012 Approval of Eight Items for Accession into Cape Fear Museum's Permanent Collection—Cape Fear Museum The Commissioners approved eight donations for accession into the Cape Fear Museum's Permanent Collection. A complete copy of the Cape Fear Museum Permanent Collection February 2012 list is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum. Approval of Order to Advertise Unpaid Real Property Tax Liens—Tax Department The Commissioners approved the Order to advertise unpaid real property tax liens for New Hanover County, City of Wilmington, Town of Kure Beach, Town of Wrightsville Beach, Town of Carolina Beach, and the New Hanover County Fire District. A copy of the order is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XXXV, Page 3.1. Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments—Budget Department The Commissioners adopted the following Budget Ordinance Amendments for fiscal year ending June 30, 2012: 12-143 - Sheriff's Office 12-157- Sheriff's Office 12-155 - Social Services Copies of the budget ordinance amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XXXV,Page 3.2. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY SERVICE AWARDS County Manager Bruce Shell requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Year: Patricia Robinson,Department of Social Services Susan Vernon, Sheriff's Office Ten Year: Kimberley Hansley,Health Department Michael Pinson,Fire Services NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32 REGULAR MEETING,FEBRUARY 20,2012 PAGE 335 Fifteen Year: Robert Billings,Planning&Inspections Thomas Melton,Property Management Twenty-Five Year: Anne Colvard,Department of Social Services On behalf of the Board, Vice-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 Bruce Shell requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced: Rebecca Brown,Health Department Kelly Haviland,Health Department On behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman Barfield welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY ADULT CARE HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee Chairman Cameron M. Stone provided the annual report for the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee highlighting the purpose of the committee is to make unannounced visits to seventeen adult care homes and two family homes on a quarterly basis to promote the well-being of residents and encourage community involvement. While conducting visits they talk one-on-one with as many residents as possible and attempt to build a relationship with them. At the end of the visit they meet with the administrator and address any concerns. A written report is submitted to the Ombudsman for follow-up. The committee requests that additional members be appointed and that there be an increase in education among young adults concerning volunteering opportunities. On behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Stone for the update and for their service to the residents of the County. NEW HANOVER COUNTY NURSING HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee Chairman John Coble provided the annual report for the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee highlighting that the purpose of the committee is to support and advocate for the rights of residents living in nursing homes on the local level; to promote community involvement with nursing homes and their residents; and to promote community education and awareness of the needs of residents in nursing homes. Currently there are eight nursing homes with 1,049 beds;two of these facilities have Alzheimer's units. Unannounced visits are conducted in each facility at least once a quarter. Currently there are nine volunteers and more are needed. The committee members are requesting mileage reimbursement and would like to have a Commissioner join them at their quarterly meetings. On behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Coble for the update and for their service to the residents of New Hanover County. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF ELECTRICIANS ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Board of Examiners of Electricians Chairman James R. Shivar, Jr. presented the annual update to the Board highlighting that the functions of the Board is to establish minimum Journeyman experience requirements and standards;review exam applications;review examinations taken; and issue Certificates of Competence to qualified Journeyman Electricians upon passing the required examination. From January 2011 through December 2011 a total of thirteen applicants took the examination; eight of these applicants were approved by the Board and passed the examination with at least a minimum passing score of 76 or better with Certificates of Competence issued. On behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Shivar for the update. CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY/WAVE TRANSIT UPDATE Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Executive Director Albert Eby provided a brief overview of the history of the Authority and presented the update to the Board highlighting that they offer public fixed bus service, human service transportation that includes elderly, disabled and senior transportation, the Seahawk Shuttle, a public pick-up service on the grounds of UNC-W, and the downtown free trolley. Next month the WAVE van pool service will begin. Innovative financing methods include charging a fee for service; serving as the agent for Greyhound to use Fordham Station as its southeastern hub with a projected revenue for next year in the amount of $30,000; and selling advertising for revenue with a projected revenue for next year in the amount$30,000. These methods help keep the fares affordable for low income citizens. In 2011, the Making Waves Foundation, a private non-profit corporation was formed to provide transportation fare subsidies to members of the community in need and individuals who otherwise would not have NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32 REGULAR MEETING,FEBRUARY 20,2012 PAGE 336 access to transportation, and to aid in raising funds to promote and improve public transportation in Southeastern North Carolina. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds have been received for the construction of a Maintenance and Operations Facility in the amount of$6 million;this facility is currently in the design phase. Current challenges that the Authority is facing include cash flow,the cost of fuel, changes in Legislation on funding,and the lack of a dedicated funding source. In response to Board questions, Mr. Eby reported that the estimated cost of the lift equipment on vans is in the amount of$55,000 - $60,000; total passengers is approximately 1.65 million with 75,000 of that number to be considered para-transit riders. In response to Board questions, Mr. Eby reported that the cost of the sculpture at Fordham Station was in the amount of$40,000 and was funded from the Federal program"Arts in Transit'';the local cost portion was in the amount of$4,000. Fordham Station was built as a LEED Gold Facility and the Maintenance and Operations Facility will be built to responsible green standards. Don Betz, Chairman of the Authority, added closing comments thanking Mr. Eby and the Authority Board members for their hard work in finding other revenue sources and thinking outside the box for additional revenue. On behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman Barfield thanked Mr.Eby for the update. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Vice-Chairman Barfield reported that a vacancy of an unexpired term exists on the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority with eleven applications available for consideration and requested nominations from the Board. Commissioner Thompson nominated Charles Lawrence Sneeden, Jr.for appointment. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Catlin. Commissioner Berger nominated Michael Barnes for appointment. No second was received therefore the motion failed. Hearing no further nominations, Vice-Chairman Barfield closed the nominations and called for a vote on the nominations. Vote Results: The Board voted 3 TO 1 to appoint Charles Lawrence Sneeden, Jr. to serve an un-expired term on the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority with the term to expire on June 30, 2014. Vice-Chairman Barfield and Commissioners Thompson and Catlin voted in favor. Appointments and Naming of Chairman to the 2012 Special Board of Equalization and Review Vice-Chairman Barfield reported that five vacancies of Regular Members and two vacancies of Alternate Members need to be filled on the Special Board of Equalization and Review with six applicants eligible for reappointment and two new applications having been received and requested direction from the Board. The Board also is charged with appointing the Chairman. Vice-Chairman Barfield nominated John R. Babb, Donald E. Harris, Joe Miller, William J. O'Shea, and Linda M. Woods for reappointment to serve one-year terms on the Special Board of Equalization and Review in the Regular Member category with the terms to expire at the conclusion of the 2012 tax appeals. The nominations were seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Vote: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to reappoint John R. Babb, Donald E. Harris, Joe Miller, William J. O'Shea, and Linda M. Woods to serve one-year terms on the Special Board of Equalization and Review in the Regular Member category with the terms to expire at the conclusion of the 2012 tax appeals. Vice-Chairman Barfield nominated Bob Drach for reappointment and Ryan Rhodenhiser for appointment to serve one-year terms on the Special Board of Equalization and Review in the Alternate Member category with the terms to expire at the conclusion of the 2012 tax appeals. The nominations were seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Vote: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to reappoint Bob Drach and appoint Ryan Rhodenhiser to serve one-year terms on the Special Board of Equalization and Review in the Alternate Member category with the terms to expire at the conclusion of the 2012 tax appeals. Vice-Chairman Barfield nominated Donald E. Harris to serve as Chairman of the Special Board of Equalization and Review for 2012. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Catlin. Vote: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to appoint Donald E. Harris to serve a one-year term as Chairman on the Special Board of Equalization and Review with the term to expire at the conclusion of the 2012 tax appeals. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32 REGULAR MEETING,FEBRUARY 20,2012 PAGE 337 Appointments to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee Vice-Chairman Barfield reported that vacancies exist on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee with three applicants eligible for reappointment and requested nominations from the Board. Vice-Chairman Barfield nominated Melissa A. Pollock, Cameron M. Stone and Glenda M. Tate for reappointment. The nominations were seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Vote Results: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to reappoint Melissa A. Pollock, Cameron M. Stone and Glenda M. Tate to three year terms on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee with the terms to expire on February 28, 2015. Appointment to the Port,Waterway,and Beach Commission Vice-Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission with one applicant eligible for reappointment and two applications available for consideration and requested nominations from the Board. Commissioner Catlin nominated Nicholas Henry Silivanch for reappointment. The nomination was seconded by Vice-Chairman Barfield. Vote: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to reappoint Nicholas Henry Silivanch to serve a three-year term on the Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission with the term to expire on February 28,2015. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Barfield announced that time has been reserved to allow the public to present an item that was not listed on the regular agenda. No items were presented. BEACH NOURISHMENT FUNDING UPDATE Commissioner Catlin provided an update on New Hanover County receiving almost$60 million in funding from the Corp of Engineers for projects including Wilmington Harbor deepening and maintenance, Carolina Beach renourishment cycle, Inlet maintenance, and Intracoastal Waterway maintenance. An amended budget request has also been submitted for almost$2 million in funding for Kure Beach including a revision for Carolina Beach. The Port, Waterway and Beach Commission will be bringing forward a proposal to the Board for a"sand manager"position. The proposed position would oversee the anticipated funding need and identify funding sources for waterway projects so that none are missed. Staff is reviewing to determine if Room Occupancy Tax funds can be used to fund the fulltime position. Commissioner Catlin is working with staff in drafting a letter to the State to request moving forward with the Memorandum of Authority process for Carolina and Kure Beaches. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,Vice-Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 9:58 a.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.nhcgov.com/NHCLive or www.nhcgov.com/pgges.BOC/ashy