2012-08-09 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING WITH CITY OF WILMINGTON COUNCIL,AUGUST 9,2012 PAGE 457
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting on Thursday, August 9,
2012,at 9:00 a.m. in the Oleander Room at the New Hanover County Executive Development Center, 1241 Military
Cutoff Road, Wilmington,North Carolina.
Members present: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr.: Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.: Commissioner Jason R.
Thompson:and Commissioner Richard G. Catlin. Commissioner Brian M.Berger arrived at 9:20 a.m.
Staff present: County Attorney Wanda M. Copley: County Manager Chris Coudriet: Clerk to the Board
Sheila L. Schuh.
City of Wilmington Council members present: Mayor Bill Saffo: Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Sheridan: Council
Members Neil Anderson:Margaret Haynes;Kevin O'Grady:Laura Padgett:and Charlie Rivenbark.
City of Wilmington staff present: City Manager Sterling Cheatham: City Clerk Penelope Spicer-Sidbmy:
and Citti-Attorney Bill Wolak.
Chairman Davis and Mayor Saffo welcomed everyone present and announced that the purpose of the
meeting was to hold a joint meeting with the City of Wilmington Council.
DISCUSSION WITH CITY OF WILMINGTON COUNCIL
Discussion was held with the City of Wilmington Council Members concerning the following issues:
• Annexation, Extra Territorial Jurisdiction, and Land Use Planning Coordination: The City
Council reported that they are in the process of having staff draft a voluntary annexation policy with the
goal of the policy being positive for both entities. The Commissioners voiced their concern about the
negative impact non-contiguous voluntary annexation has on the County. Discussion included the City's
desire for Extra Territorial Jurisdiction and the impact it has on the City and the County as well as the need
for land use planning coordination between the entities. The Board and Council came to consensus that it
is important for both entities to work together on these issues, directing that through the County and City
Manager's offices, the respective Planning Departments work together to bring recommendations foiNvard
for Board and Council consideration.
• Sales Tax Distribution and Other Fees and Charges: The Board and Council held a discussion
concerning the City's desire to receive more sales tax by either changing the formula percentage or by
changing the process to one based on population. The conversation was held that a change in the formula
percentage or process could have a significant negative impact on the beach communities as well as the
sei ices the County is mandated to provide which are used in large part by city residents. Discussion also
included the allocation of Room Occupancy Tax fiords and the need for a review of the current and fixture
distribution formula. The Board and Council came to consensus directing County Manager Coudriet and
City Manager Cheatham to review the issue of sales tax distribution to include property tax collection,
inspection fees and Room Occupancy Tax find formulas in their discussion, with the meetings to include
leadership from the beach communities for their input.
• Economic Development: The Board and Council held a discussion concerning the referendum
scheduled for the November 6, 2012 ballot concerning using property tax finding to build a stadium for a
minor league baseball team. It was pointed out that only City of Wilmington residents will be allowed to
vote on the referendum. The discussion broadened to include the necessity of working together on
economic development issues such as what type of industiv is wanted here and if incentives will be offered.
The Board and Council came to consensus directing the County Manager Coudriet and City Manager
Cheatham, including representatives from the beach communities, to work together on a draft structure
policy for economic development for Board and Council consideration.
• Water/Sewer Pump Station 10: Commissioner Catlin led the discussion concerning Pump Station 10
which is almost at capacity suggesting that the County and City work together to provide low interest loans
with the goal of increasing the growth opportunity in this area. The Board and Council came to consensus
to direct the four elected officials on the Cape Fear Public Utility Board to draft a plan for consideration by
their respective Boards. Commissioner Catlin was excused at 11:00 a.m.
• Shared Office Space at 320 Chestnut Street: The Board and Council held a discussion concerning
the City of Wilmington potentially renting office space at the County's building located at 320 Chesnut
Street. The Council requested that they be included in redevelopment discussions and were iti ited to
attend the Work Session on this issue scheduled for Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the
Government Center.
• WAVE Transit: Council Member Padgett presented the request for additional county finding. The
Board and Council held a discussion concerning ridership numbers, the demand for Sunday sei ice routes,
large buses verses vans, and the replacement schedule for the vehicles. The County did allocate an
additional $120,000 for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and any additional finding request will be considered
during the regular budget process.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING WITH CITY OF WILMINGTON COUNCIL,AUGUST 9,2012 PAGE 458
• Coordination of Service Delivery: The Board and Council held a discussion conceming future consolidation in areas such as parks, fire and planning. The consensus reached was that the mutual aid
agreement that is in place for Fire Seivices is seiving residents well. The Legion Stadium agreement needs
to be reviewed with the consensus that the officials representing the Avo entities on the Legion Sports
Complex Commission will bring a recommendation to their respective Boards for consideration. The City
Council does not have consensus for consolidation of parks. Further discussion was held on the importance
of being able to show residents specifically what potential cost savings and benefits would be realized from
consolidation in anti-of these areas.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Chairman Davis and Mayor Saffo offered comments on the need for
continued communication and the benefits that are realized from that effort and adjourned the Special Meeting at
11:42 a.m.with the understanding that the City will host the next joint meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board