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1961-06-19 Regular Meeting?86 Minutes of the Meeting June 5, 1961 Continued APPROPRIATIONS - ? Upon motion of Mr. Broadhurst, seconded by Mr. Mayhan, the 8oard unanimously made the following appropriations: From County Home Emergency to Farm Home Telephone $30.00 " General Emergency " Coronerts Salary 15.00 " General Emergency " Coroner - Autopsy . 350.00 REPORTS AND LETTERS - The following reports and letters were reviewed by the Board and ordered filed for reference: aac,8?.?? 1- Changes in Welfare Recipients Status Reports. 2- Home Economics Narrative Report - ??,,,?„??7•?^? 3- Note of appreciation from the family of Walter Duval Bass 4- Red Cross announces Disaster institute to be he.ld June 9th at 3:OOP.M, in the Chapter House, 411 South Front St. , 5- Letter from John T. Talbert Jr 8 Associates announcing their entrance into hydrographic or topographic survey, si.te planning, hydraulic studies, paving drainage and beach erosion or any phase of civil and sanitary consulting engineering prob2ems. b- Thank-you letters from Sudan Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. 7- T'hank-you letters from New Hanover High School for Student Local Government Day. ' 8- Letter of appreciation from Congressman Lennon for assistance on the Corps of Engineers problem. 9- New Hanover County Statement of Tax Collections by Tax Collector, Sam W. Johnson 10- Notice from State Board of Public Welfare regarding appointment of a new mem- :. bec to the County Welfare Board to replace Mr. W. Alleri Cobb whose term will expire on June 30, 1961. ADJOURNMENT - Upon motion of Mr. to ad,journ the meeting. Broadhurst, seconded by lNr. Mayhan, the Board unanimously voted s / , Executive Secr\tItary Wilmington, N. C. June 19, 1961 ASSEMBLY - The regular semimonthly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners was held on this date at 9:00 A. N. in the Commissioners' Room of the County Court House. The following members of the Board were in attendance: Chairman J. M. Hall, Jr., Commiss- ioners Peter H. Braak, L. E. Broadhurst, Ernest R. Mayhan and J. Van B. Metts, Jr; County Auditor T. D. Love. County Attorney L. Bradford Tillery was out of the City and unable to be present for the meeting. INVOCATION - Chairman Hall called the meeting to order and asked Reverend D. L. Alexander, Pastor of the First Christian Church, to open the meeting with a prayer for guidance. APPROVAL OF T}iE MINUTES - The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved upon motion of Mr. May- han, seconded by Mr. Braak. ' WILMINGTON COLLEGE - ?/ Dr. John T. Hoggard, President Emeritus of Wilmington College, stated that they had a'problem concerning the Physical Education Program of the college and presented Mr, Frederick B. Graham, Chairman of the Building 8 Grounds Committee and asked him to explain their needs. Mr. Graham reported that they had some fine new buildings out at the college and he realized that buiidings and campus alone did noL make a good college but said they had a quality faculty to operate it in an economical way and at the same time render an edu- cational service second to none. Wilmington College is accredited by the Southern Associa- tion of Colleges and Secondary Schools and by the North Carolina College Conference. Their long range plans include a four year college. At present, the North Carolina Conference requires two years of Physical Education for graduation. Wilmington has no Physical Educa- tional Building at present. Our graduates who seek higher learning in their Junior and Senior years are forced to go back to the Freshmen and S'ophomore classes in the higher in- stitutions to which they go. In order to correct this deficiency in the curriculum, it is recommended that a combination Auditorium and Physical Educational Building be erected. Estimates indicate ihat such a functional building might be constructed at a cost of $200,000. This means that matching funds from the State of $100,'000 and local interests to put up $100,000. The College Building Fund will have an approximate balance of $25,000 left over brought about by frugal handling and economic expenditures. They request the County to appropriate $25,000 from the present 1960-61 year and $25,000.during the 1961-62 year and $25,000 during the 1962-63 Budget year. Dr. C. E. Hartford, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, thariked the Commissioners for their cooperation in -the past and pledged their , continued economic handling of any funds which were allocated to them. He is of the opin- . ion that Wilmington College is one of ttie outstanding assets of New Hanover County and will be the drawing card for industry to move into this area. Dr. William M. Randall, President, stressed the need for a place to hold assemblies of the students and explained further the requirement of North Carolina Schools for two years Physical Education or three years of ROTC before graduation. Chairman Hall explained the difficulty in making a decis- ion for such an appropriation on the spur of the moment and asked that they be allowed to table the request until next Monday, June 26th when they would give them an answer to this request. This arrangement was satisfactory to all concerned. , . , . Minutes of the Meeting June 19, 1961 Continued COUNTY SURVEYOR - Attorney John C. Wessell, Jr. explained his need for County surveyor to survey and map a piece of land to be entered Braak offered a motion that this request be granted and that Mr. for this work at no cost.to the County. It was seconded by Mr. adopted. ? the services of an official in the County records. Mr. M. H. Lander be approved Broadhurst and unanimously HOSPITAL CONSIDERATION - A letter was received from the Cape Fear Chapter of American Business LJomen's Association urging the Board to seriously reconsider a special vote concerning the hospital needs of our community. Mr. Herbert P. McKim, Chairman of the Finance Committee appoint- ed by the Board, reported that he had noted that this question would be on the agenda today and reminded the Board that at a former meeting consideration had been given to the appoint- ment of a Board of Directors or Trustees to answer the many questions which have arisen such as location, si2e and cost of land, and water and sewerage treatment plant, etc. He has been advised that it iaould be legal for such a Board to be appointed in advance of the refer- endum on the question of erecting such a hospitai through a Bond issue approved by the people. He is not at liberty to reveal the attorney's name but will be glad to arrange a conference after securing his,permission to use his name. By common consent, the Board unanimously - approved this arrangement, and authorized Chairman Hall to direct the County Attorney to con- fer with him at their convenience. , NUSEUM A delegation of citizens headed by Jack C. Davis, president of the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society, and accompanied by Jack I. Berkman,"president of the Wilmington Art Society and Thalian Association. Mrs. Martin Willard representing the Junior League, Mr. Louis T. Moore, Chairman of th'e New Hanover Historical Commission, Mrs. George Allie Moore, Jr., president of the Local Chapter of U.D.C., Mrs. W.A. Fotivielle, past president of Sorosis and Mrs. Laura H. Norden, and D.A.R. members were present in the interest of relocating the New Hanover County Museum. Each represenLative exp'lained the cultural as- pects of their particular interest and stressed the fact that New Hanover County is rich in historical and cuitural heritage. Professionai artists and writers; as well as histor- i- ians, are interested in the facts and relics accumulated from the important events which have taken place in this area and helped to shape the..history of our count'ry. With the restoration of Fort Fisher and other important historical sites in tihis sectiott, along with the acquiring of the Battleship USS North Carolina, they feel" that a conv¢nient loca- tion of the museum is an essential part of building up and holdfng"ttie tourist trade. Some of them estimated that it would be necessary to build many new add"itional motels to take care of the national as well as international.travelers who' wi'll gravitate to this area. The possibilities are almost unlimited as other historic sites with less importance attach- • ed to them have recorded more than a half-mi113on vi"sitors in the last twelve months per- iod. Mr. Leslie N. Boney, Jr. past president of the Lower Cape Fear H3storical Society presented proposed plans for moving the present museum to the third floor of the present City Hall space which is expected to be vacated when the Police Department moves to their new quarters. He reported that the building has been remodeled into a fireproof structure except rafters and roof. He said that they had not yet presented th3s proposition to the ' City Council but wouid do so at their next meeting. They propose an annual Budget from the County of $5,000 which would provide for a fuli time museum director as well as extra help, display materials and supply. As a non-recurring item, they ask for $5,000 to cover the moving expenses and install ligtiting and display cases. They suggest that a Board of • Directors be appointed equally by the County Commissioners and the City Council. They propose representation from the legal profession, trained businessmen and citizens inter- ested in the preservation of local history and that the terms of appointment be for twolvill- and staggered after the first term. The Chairman thanked them for their presentation a d promised full consideration would be given to their request. CAB - Piedmont Airlines - Attorney Oliver Carter reported that he had pr¢pared and ? filed a Brief before the Civil Aeronautics Board in the interest of local service of the Piedmont Airlines and had likewise appeared and presented the arguments at a two day hear- ing in Washington, D. C. He also filed a Brief in opposition to the National Airlines re- quest to have the hearing contemporaneously with the Piedmont hearing in which he was suc- cessful in being upheld by the Examiner. While no decision was made in the Piedmont mat- ter he is hopeful that his efforts will be successfulin having one-plane one-carrier ser- vice from Wilmington to Washington and from Wilmington to Atlanta. AIRPORT GROUND TRANSPORTATION Mr. Carter reported that the lease for ground transportation service between the New Hanover County Airport and Taxicabs, Incorporated would expire at the end of June. r He suggested that the County enter into,a seven year lease in order to_eliminate the ?- ? necessity of renewals. in the discussion, it developed that the present contract does not exclude other carriers if and when customers request them. The ma,jority of the Board felt that it would be advisable for the County Attorney to review the contract before it was signed and put on record, so Mr. Broadhurst offered a motion that Taxicabs, Incorporat- ed be awarded a three year contract for supplying ground transportation for air passengers subject to approval of the County Attorney. It was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unani- mously approved by the Board. •1 SCHOOL BUDGET - • School Board Chairman Emsley A. Laney informed the Board that there were two Capital Outlay items which needed immediate attention to give them time to have them deliv- ered and installed before the opening of the next school term. He called on Superinten- dent E. C. Funderburk to present the details. He advised that additions have been made to the Wrightsboro School which requires a 2arger heating plant. The present basement room is too small and will require an outside above ground boiler room. The present boiler can be used as a stand-by and will not be demolished or ,junked. The estimated cost is $25,000. Pupil loads at two other schools, Bradiey Creek and winter Park Elementary Schools, are so heavy that additional c2assrooms will be required at a cost of $5,000 each. They propose the use of two mobile classrooms as a temporary stopgap. After a brief discuss3on, Mr. Metts offered a mot3on that approval be given,to the construction of the Wrightsboro heat- ing plant and two mobile classrooms as described 3n the 1961-62 School Budget requests under items #1 and A. This motion was seconded by Mr. Braak and when the ballot was taken there were no objections so the Chairman declared it adopted. 'A ?. ?, -? Minutes of the Meeting June 19, 1961 Continued i BATTLE ACRE TRANSFER - Pursuant to instructions at the March 20th meeting, County Attorney L.Bradford Tillery presented the following Reso2ution for insertion in the records in order to accom- i plish the transfer of Battle Acre described as "a certain piece or parcel of land situated in the Federal Point Township near the new inlet of the Cape Fear River, where the beacon erected by the United States now stands, to contain one square acre of land, the beacon be- ing the center of the said square acre, together with the use and privilege of the most convenient and usual landing place on said point from the river, and from said landing point free egress and regress over the said point of the land." WHEREAS, tihe Department of Archives and History of the State of North Carolina is desirous of participating in restoration of the site of F'ort Fisher and can- not do so until title to the site desired to be restored is in the State of North Carolina, and WHEREAS, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southeastern North Carolina Beach Association and many other organizations have requested the cooperation of the Board of Commissioners of New Hanover County in this respect, and WHERFAS, the Commissioners find that it is in the best interests of the citi- zens of New Hanover County and expedient that transfer of title be made: NOWTHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners is empowered and directed to execute a good and sufficient deed to the State of North Carolina for that certain tract or parcel of land described in Book 424 at page 597 of the New Hanover County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more complete description. 2. That a copy of this resolution be spread on the minutes of this meeting. This the 19th day of June , 1961 Mr. Broadhurst offered a motion that the Resolution be adopted. It was seconded by Mr. Nlayhan and unanimously approved by the Board. " CORONER - AUTOPSY A letter was received from County Attorney with reference to the right to perform an autopsy upon the body of a deceased p'erson. He referred to G.S. 90-217, 152-7, 15-7. Although there seems to be a conflict in some of the provisions of the Statutes, he finally sugoested that G.S. 152-7, Subsection #6 was the real intent of the General Assembly which provides that the Solicitor be empowered to authorize an autopsy. After briefly discussing the problem, Mr. Metts offered a motion that in New Hanover County the Solicitor is the pro- per officer to authorize autopsies and that the Executive Secretary be directed to write a letter to the Coroner, with copies to the Solicitor, Sheriff and the Police Chief advising them of this action. It was seconded by Mr. PJlayhan and unanimously adopted by the Board. BRIDGE LIGHTING - / A letter was received from Acting City Manager C. F. Churchill reminding the Board of an agreement between New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington and the State Highway Commission in April of 1952 in which the State Highway Commission agreed to pro- vide maintenance for a lighting system on the Northeast River Bridge provided the City and County would assume the cost of the electric current necessary for the operation of the lighting system. A discussion of this matter developed that 7 or 8 years ago the 5tate ceased to maintain the lighting system and the Bridge has been dark since that time. The State Highway Commission is now ready and willing to proceed with the repairs necessary to restore the li-ghting system provided an agreement can be obtained between the County and City for the cost of supplying the electric current. The Carolina Power d Light Company have worked out an equitable formula proportionate to the length of the lighting system that will be within the City limits for which to bill the City and that portion that will be beyond the City limits on which the County would properly be charged. After discussing the ?robabilities, the Board, by common consent, referred the matter to the County Attor- ney nd the Executive Secretary for further investigation, especially why the State High- way Commission would not be responsible for furnishing the lights and why the City and County would be. ELECTRIC SERVICE - Chairman Hall reported to the Board that he had been contacted by A. B. Blake, Incorporated, the low bidder on the electrical section of the bids which were opened on March 31, 1960 in the amount of $15,460, asking that the contract be awarded to them for rewiring the electric service into the Court House. After consultation with the County Attorney in which he advised that if any changes are to be made in the original plans and specifications and if there were any limitations in the original contract proposal, it ? would be necessary to readvertise and obtain new bids on the work. After discussing the opinions of both the County and City Electrical Inspectors who reported that the present system was inadequate, unsafe and hazardous, Mr. Metts offered a motion that the County Court House be rewired in accordance with specifications recommended by the County Electri- cal Inspector to supply ._ sufficient power and correct the dangerous conditions now exist- ing. This motion was seconded by Mr. Braak and unanimously approved. New Bids - 1'he County Electrical Inspector is recommending some change in the plans and specifications as originally bid on in March 1960 which makes it legally impera- tive that we readvertise for bids. Mr. Mayhan then offered a motion that the specifica- tions and plans be readvertised immediately and that new bids be asked for on the work necessary to correct the deficiencies in the electrical system of the County Court House. This motion was seconded by Mr. Braak and unanimously carried. i ANNUAL AL'TD I T - Ttr,Y The County Auditor informed the Board that there,are certain functions necessary to.be performed on the last day of the fiscal year by the Certified Public Auditor author- ized to make the annual County Audit Report. After giving consideration to the fact that Mr. William C. Barfield, C.P.A. had made prev3ous audits which were satisfactory and that he was familiar with the County records and procedures, Mr. Broa3hurst offered a motion that he be appointed to audit the County records for the 1960-61 fiscal year at a cost not to exceed $4500.00. It was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unanimously adopted by the Board. ` Minutes of the Meeting June 19, 1961 BEER LICENSES - Upon motion of Mr. Broadhurst, seconded by Mr. Metts, the following applications 04A- ? were approved and referred to the Sheriff for his investigation and consideration. Mrs. A. P. McAdams T/A Mac's Grili Highway #421, Carolina Beach Gloria Poole T/A Junction Snack Shop RFD #2, Box 253 C Varser Stephens T/A Oleander 66 Service Station 4800 Oleandcr Dr. Steve Cooper Strickland T/A Strick's Trading Post Highway 117 City F. N. Johnson T/A Johnson's Variety Shop 5749 Oleander Dr. COMNMVITY HOSPITAL BUDGET - i A letter was received from the Board of Directors of Community Hospital request- ing an appointment for the presentation of the3r annual Budget. By common consent of the Board, the Executive 5ecretary was authorized to schedule them at 9:00 A. M. June 26th,1961. RAILRbAD DRAWBRIDGE - ?- Plotice was received to all mariners from the Corps of Engineers advising that a vessel had struck and damaged the drawspan over the Hilton Railroad drawbridge across the Northeast River. A discussion of this problem brought out the fact that the damage was caused by one of the ships to be scrapped out of the local lay-up basin which pinpointed the necessity for adequate clearance on any new bridges across our navigable waters. The draw- bridge is not expected to be in operation before August 13, 1961. VOTER REGISTRATION - ???? r Mr. Broadhurst reminded the Board that at the last meeting, it was suggested that a joint committee be appointed to study the proposed new voter registration system, particu- larly with reference to participation in the cost by the City. After a Prief discussion, the Chairman appointed Mr. L. E. Broadhurst as a Committee of one to confer with a Committee appointed by the City Council and the Chairman of the Board of Elections and report back his recommendations at his convenience. REPORTS AND LETTERS - The following reports and letters were reviewed and ordered filed for further reference: ?- 1- Grand Jury Report for Criminal Term - June 1961 2- Wilmington Public Library Report for May 1961 3- Wilmington Colored Library " " " " 4- Farm Agentts Cooperative Extension.Report for May 1961 5-- U.S.O. Report through May 1961 . 6- Memorandum from State Highway Commission regardfng traffic counts shown on maps for New Hanover County for the year 1960 (on all hard surfaced roads). 7- Bulletin giving further information on the proposed merger of the ACL Railroad i_ and Seaboard Railroad. C?-„?,'•- 8- Thank-you letter from Mrs. E.C. Keith for the Board's efforts in behalf of ? retaining the Corps of Engineers in the Wilmington District. 9- Lett.er from Mr. W.F. Schaub, Asst. 5ecretary of the Army commending the repre-?"?? • sentation from New Hanover County and their efforts and interest in the U. S. Army Engineers. AD J OURNMENT - Upon motion of Mr. Metts, seconded by Mr. Braak, the Board nanimously voted to ad,journ the meeting. ? ? W. G. Houck, Executive Secretary SPECIAL MEETING June 26, 1961 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in special session today at 9:00 A. M. in the Commissioners Room of the Court House for the primary purpose of receiving the Budget Estimates as outlined by the County Auditor and to consider several other matters of importance. The members present were as follows: Chairman J. M. Hali, Jr., Commission- ers J. Van B. Metts, Jr. Peter H. Braak, Ernest R. Mayhan and L. E. Broadhurst; County Auditor T. D. Love and County Attorney L. Bradford Tillery. INVOCATION - Chairman Hall called the meeting to order and asked Dr. L. A. Taylor, Consultant for the Cape Fear Memorial Hospital, to open the meeting with a prayer for guidance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Upon motion of Mr. Braak, seconded by Mr. Metts, the minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved. WILMINGTON COLLEGE - A Pursuant to the promise made at the 4'ast meeting, the Chairman of the Board and President headed a group of Trustees from Wilm3ngton College to receive the decision by the Commissioners with reference to their request for $25,000 out of the current fiscal year for the purpose of assisting in the project of a combined Physical Education Building and Assem- bly Hail. The County Auditor reported that the General Fund surplus will increase about $50,000 to $60,000 over Anticipated Revenues and that sufficient funds from non tax sources are available in event the Board wishes to consider the request. After briefly discussing the matter, Mr. Metts offered a motion that $25,000 be appropriated as follows, out of the 1960-61 Budget for the purpose toward Lhe building of a Crymtorium at Wilmington College: (continued) J