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1958-08-11 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Meeting August 4, 1958 , McCAIN SANITORIUM - A letter was received from the Medical Records Department of the Community Aospital informing the Board that Lucille Davis of 506% North'7th Street had been trans- ferred to the Sanitorium at McCain, North Carolina on July 29, 1958. Her diagnosis was Tuberculosis Pleurisy, with Effusion. BARN INSURANCE - ' County Auditor, T. D. Love reported through his office that the new cattle barn recently completed at the County Farm had not been placed on our Insurance polic- ies and suggested that this be done immediately. By common consent of the Board, the Executive Secretary was instructed to authorize insurance coverage up to $,10,000 on this structure. PILING PROPOSAL The Corps of Engineers served Public Notice that an application had been W filed for construction of two boat mooring pilings at 21 Lagoon Drive; Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and requested an objection, if any, be filed in that office on or before August 7, 1958. The Commissioners themselves had no objections. HOUSING AUTHORITY RENT - e_x? A letter was received from the Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington informing the Board that they had sent a voluntary contribution of $8,674.38 to the County representing 10 % of their shelter rent in compliance with'their agreement. r VETERANS' REPORT - , ? The regular monthly report of the Veterans' Servi.ce Office showing a total? award for the amount of $7,253.80 was received through thischannel. ADJOURNMENT -1 " There being no further moved adjournment, seconded by Mr. business presented before the Board, Mr. Broadhurst Mayhan and unanimously adopted. . r%%/ W. G. FIOUCK, Executive 5??: Secretary Wilmington, N.C. August 11,1958 ' CONVOCATION - The regular weekly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners was held this day in the Commissioner's Room of the Court House at 9:30" A. M. PRESENT: Chairman J. M. Hall, Jr., Commissioners L. E. Broadhurst, Ernest R. Mayhan; Commiss- ioner-Elect Peter H. Braak, Corinty Auditor T. D. Love and County Attorney John Bright Hill. Commissioners James E. Holton, Jr, and Berry A. Williams were not present since they are attending the Convention of the National Association of County Officials being held in Portland, Oregon. ' INVOCATION - The Chairman called the meeting to order and asked Reverend Jack Newsome, Pastor of the Oleander and Epworth Methodist Church, to open the meeting with a prayer for guidance. . . APPROVAL OF'THE MINUTES - Upon motion of Mr. hfayhan, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, the minutes of the last meeting were unanimously appcoved. AMBULANCE SERVICE Mr. John W. Poole, representing the Cape Fear Ambulance Service Company, was recognized by the Chairman and informed the Board that he had so far been unable to arrange a suitable conference with the committee composed of Commissioner Broadhurst and Williams from the County and a similar committee from the City Council with refer- ence to the problems that they were confronted with in serving the citizens of New Han- over County. He is hopeful that such a meeting will soon materialiae and that they will sooi? have some recommendations for future guidance. The particular case in quest- ion this morning had to do with Bo,yd Evar?A;, a former employee of the City who was shot in the back on October 26, 1957. 7'he City Police called the,Ambulance Company and authorized them to take him to the James SYalker Memorial Hospital where he received emergency treatment by Doctor ponald B. Koonce. Their work indicates that the charges were paid by some insurance company.' This is likewise true of the x-ray treatroent which was rendered at the time. He was then transferred by ambulaace to the Community Hospital where he has been ever since. Mrs. Helen B. Sneeden, Superintendent of the Welfare Department, and bfrs. Grace S. Hixson, Intake Case Worker, were invited to ex- plain some of the policies of the Welfare Department in handling this sort of case. It has been the established policy.of the Welfare Department not to issue permits or to certify payment of hospitalization or ambulance service until after a request by rela- tives and an investigation that they were indigent. In this particular case, the am- bulance service was authorized by a member of the City Police Department and the patient was employed by the City of Wilmington as a mortar mixer. The accident happened on Oct- ober 26, 1957 and no request for assistance was made_.on the Welfare Department until June, 1958. It is reported that all City employees.are.covered by the Hospital Saving Association under their Blue Cross Plan and that they were liahle for the Hospital costs on the patient until June. It was the cousensus of opinion by the Board that since a City employee authorized the use of the ambulance and the pat.ient was not indigent at the time, the City should assume the responsibili.ty for this ambulance cost. The Com- munity Hospital workers indicate that the patient was received at 8:00 P. M. October 26, 1957 and gave as his nearest relative, Eva M. Williams of 1111 Dock'StTeet and that the transfer was made from James Walker Memorial Hospital by ambulance. G? ? ? -A Minutes of the Meeting August 11, 1958 Continued AIR CONDITIONING - COURT ROOMS Mr. Isaac C. 15'right, local attorney, was recognized by the Chairman and informed the Board that he had just returned from the Recorders Court Room in which it was practically impo.ssible for a witness or a jury to hear the proceedings of the Court because of the tr.emendous amount of noise coming into the room due to the heavy truck traffic from- Third Street. He also said that last week he had a case in the Superior Court Room and that the jury box on the 5outhwest side of the build- ing was so hot in the afternoon when the evening sun shined in, that it was almost unbearable for the jury and certainly very, very uncomfortable and he thought that for justice to be done, those responsible should be as comfortable as possible and requested the Commissioners if at all possible to have the Court Rooms sir condit- ioned so that the windows could be kept closed, therefore, making the Court Rooms more comfortable for the officials and the witnesses. ' Mr. CHARLTON A. POPE was recognized by the Chairman and stated that as a -? tax payer he would like to congratulate and commend the Commissioners on their effort e? kvN,,29-' in holding down the tax rate patticularly in the face of repeated demands for addit- ional appropriations but that he, too, had just come from the courts and would like to add his voice to that of Mr. Wright's in requesting air conditioning for the Court Rooms. By common consent of the Board, the Executive Secretary was instruct- ed to seek bids for the cost of suitable air conditioners to do this job and report back to the Board. USED BUILDING MATERIAL - The Chairman explained to the Board that the Security National Bank has offered to donate to the County the materials in a house at 406 Chestnut Street, pro- CB"? vided it was demolished and removed promptly from the lot. It was his opinion that there was $1,000 to $1,500 worth of usable materials in it. Mr. Broadhurst offered a motion that the Caunty accept the house for the materials and that a check for $1.00 be issued to the Security National Bank conveying the title to the County and that de- molition be started at once with prison labor. This motion was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unanimously adopted. GARBAGE DISP05AL - A letter was received from the Health Director, Dr. C. B. Davis, of the Consolidated Board of Health, declaring the County trash dump to be a nuisance because of the tremendous numher of flies breeding in the.refuse and some evidence of rat breeding. He suggests two solutions to bring the nuisance into a reputable condition that will comply with the rules and regulations of the Health Department. 1_ Immed- iate conversion to a continuing, approved, sanitary landfill operation. 2- Immediate abandonment of the operation, with terminal burning and adequate covering of the res- idue. During the discussion of this operation, Commissioner-Elect Peter H. Braak in- formed the Board that there was an open dump near Castle Hayne in which spoilable materials and other refuse accumulating through stores and filling stations was being indiscriminately scattered on top of the ground. Mr. Broadhurst informed the Board that he had made several trips to the various garbage dumps in the County, including the one used by the City of Wilmington, and that the method used at the County dump was equal to or better than any other one in the County. The Chairman explained that in order for the Health Department to enforce their health regulations, it would be inconsistent for them to prosecute individuals doing the same thing as tt?e County itseLC ' Mr. Broadhurst then offered a motion that in view of the letter received from the Con- solidated Board of Health, the County Trash Dump be ordered closed by 5aturday night, August 16, 1958 and that a copy of this order be sent to the Sheriff's Department and that Mr. H. C. Rivenhark be requested to call and inform the habitual users of this action. Mr. Mayhan seconded this motion and it was unanimously adopted. COUNTY HOME WATER SUPPLY - The Executive Secretary informed the Board that Mr. Herbert C. Rivenbark, Superintendent of the County Home and Farm,informed him that the present water tank had rusted through and was leaking and that so far as he knew there was no practical Ci way of repairin it except through the p.urchase of a new one. Nlr. Broadhurst inform- the Board that ?e had inspected the tank and had made satisfactory arrangements about replacing it. COUNTY HOME BOILER - As requested by the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Secretary reported that he had contacted Henry Von Oesen and Associates with reference to the cost of a preliminary survey and specifications for replacing the burned out boiler at the County ? Home. Mr. J. R. Benson, Jr. informed him that Mr. Von Oesen was out of the City and C,?,??nnf.aYk'that usually the cost of such service was based on the percentage of the estimate but "d that he did not believe it would run over $150.00. Mr. Broadhurst informed the Board that specifications had already heen drawn for this job and suggested that the Board as a whole go out to the County after the meeting today and make a personal review of the situation. The Chairman reminded the Board that he did not want to delay until cold weather to have this job completed. No further action was taken on this subject. VISITING TEACHER - Letters were received from the Community Council, the Juvenile Court, along with a statistical report of truai?cy records in support of the reinstatement of the visiting teacher to the program of the Board of Education. After some discussion of the many advantages, b1r. Broadhurst offerred a motion that the visiting teacher be re- instated in the School Program for the Fiscal Year 1958-59, and that the necessary ex- penses be appropriated from the Supplementary Budget Funds since the Budget was adopted in detail. This motion was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unanimously approved by the Board. ' EDUCATION BUDGET - ' INr. E. A. Laney, Acting Chairman of the Board of Education was recognized by the Board and stated that he was appearing in the interest of the restoration of funds in support of the Attendance Officer, Books, and the salary of one employee wMich wacs inadvertently decreased'$300.00 per year. After some discussion in the matters, L? `9 1. 1 Minutes of the Meeting August 11, 1958 Continued EDUCATION BUDGET - (Continued) Mr. Mayhan offered a motion that since it was not the intent of the Board to cut any salaries, he thought the $300.00 should be restored. There was no second to this motion, so the Chairman vacated the chair and requested Mr. Mayhan to act as Chairman, and seconded his motion. When the vote was called, Mr. Broadhurst voted "NO" in the matter while the other Commissioners voted in the affirmative and the mo- tion was adopted. No action was taken about the books. TAX RATE County Auditor T. D,Love reminded the Board that in order for him to com- plete his work and turn the Tax Books over to the Tax Collector by October 1, it was necessary for the Boaril to set a Tax Rate today. He gave them the following informa- tion in writing and requested that it be made a part of these minutes: "After totalling the list of appropriations which have been made to our cur- rent Budget, the over all Budget now totals $5,414,156.29. To meet this Budget I have anticipated revenues before taxes of $3,931,194.38. Subtract ,this amount from your Budget means that we have to raise $1,482,961.91 in tax- es. . , It will take a tax rate of $1.19 to raise this amount, and I strongly recom- mend to you that the tax rate be made $1.20 for the year 1958-59. . Please allow me to call to your attention as strongly as I know how that the estimates of revenues are at the highest peak that they can safely be estimated and it will be very foolish to attempt to increase these estimates of revenues. You will recall that last year I informed you that the estimate of revenues had been increased substantially and that we wouLd have to pay for it this coming year and as a consequence, rather than havin$ a tax rate approaching $1.00, we-are now faced with a$1.20 tax rate. If we are faced with the same Budget next•year, it is my consid- ered opinion that the tax rate is going to be at least $1.25 to $1.30.,. Please remember that Budgets do not go down - they constantly increase. It is my duty to advise you to the best of my ability in regard to*the finan- cial matters of the County. Please let me state once again that it is most important that a tax rate of $1.20 be set for this year, and that the rate be set'not later than Monday, August 11. Please remember that the tax books have to be prepared after the rate is set and even after this rate is set on Monday it is going to take a lot of day and night work to have t.he tax books ready by the first Monday in October. Any day la- ter'than Monday will definitely throw our tax books late in getting them over to the Tax Collector. ,. The Budget has been increased by $117,000 since I brought it in to you and it is absolutely essential that the tax rate be raised to take care of the Budget. I don't mean to be criti°cal of your raising of the Budget, but I think you have done a good job of ineeting the needs of the Community. Please be prepared to state what the tax rate will be not later than Monday." In the consideration of the above information, it developed that each of the members presqnt had an entirely differnt view on the Tax Rate and, therefore, delayed any action until next Monday when a fuller Board will be preserit; . and those present today will have a chance to make a further study of the matter. AIRPORT ?. The Executive Secretary informed the Board that.the Airport Manager, John W. Westbrook, had requested permission to invite the CAA to a meeting with the Commission- ers on September 15, 1958 for a dzscussion of the proposed landing improvements at the ? airport. By common consent, they approved this request and the Chairman stated that he had made another effort to secure the necessary adjacent land but that the owner still contended that condemnation proceedings would be necessary before he would agree to sell it. It is his opinion that the opportunity to make the improvements at our airport should not be overlooked. INTANGIBLE TAX - A letter from the State Board of Assessment informed the Board that a check --? for $185,688.48 covering the intangible tax collections through December 31, 1957 had TIT_ A-,;I0 been sent to the County Auditor. BLADEN BRIDGE DEDICATION - A letter was received from the Chairman of Bladen County Board of Commission- i ers requesting suggestions for planning a Dedication Program for the opening of a new bridge across the Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown, North Carolina.in honor of James H. Clark, Sr. They had in mind a similar ceremony held by our County in honor of C. Hefde Trask in bpening the Bridge over the Intracoastal 19aterway at Wrightsville Sound. The Board, by common consent, instructed the Executive Secretary to gather the necess- ary information and forward it as requested. TAX OFFICE AUDI T -- . . . J A contract was received from the J. B. McCabe firm of Accountants cavering the audit of the Consolidated Tax Office of the City of Wilmington and New Hanover "T11-V County., By common consent of the Board, the Chairman was authorized to execute this -contract in the name of the County and the work ordered done. REPORTS The following reports were received for information and ordered filed for the record: . -__L" (a) New Hanover County Home Demonstration Agent ? ?b Negro Home Demonstration Agent c; Wilmington Public Library (d) Report on Agricultural Extension Work 'A r_ 292 Minutes of the Meeting August 11, 1958 Continued ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business being presented before the Board, Mr. Broad- hurst moved adjournment, seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unanimously adopted. - , , ? W. G. Houck, Executive Secretary Wilmington, N.C. August 18, 1958 t/A?" v ASSEMBLY The regvlar weekly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners was held this day in the Commissioner's Room of the Court House.at 9:30 A. M. PRESENT:. Chair.man J. M. Hall, Jr., Commissioners L. E. Broadhurst, Ernest R. Mayhan and Berry A. [qilliams, County Auditor T. D. Love and County Attorney John Bright Hill. Commiss- ioner James E. Holton, Jr. was not present since he had not yet returned to the city after attending the Convention of the National Association of County Officials. INVOCATION Chairman Hall called the meeting to order and asked Reverend J. Frank Davis, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, to open the meeting with a prayer for guidance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Upon motion of Mr. Mayhan, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, the minutes of the last regular meetittg, having previously been mailed to each of the Commissioners, were unanimously approved as written. SHERIFF'S AUTOr40BILE BIDS - Pursuant to instructions issued on July 21st for advertising and securing bids for 1958 cars for use in the Sheriff's Department, we received an answer from the Raney Chevrolet Company informing us that because of model chan$e overs and summer va- cations in the manufacturing plants they were shut down and, therefore, they would be unable to offer firm bids at this time. Cape Fear Motor Sa1es sabmitted bids on 1959 model cars for a net difference.of $3,000 on the three units on which there would be trade-ins and on the one unit purchased on a cash sale basis for $1899.00 excluding Federal Excise Tax, delivery to be made October 17, 1958. After considering that neither of the bids met the specifications advertized, Mr. Williams moved that the 6ids be returned to the dealers with a letter of explanation and that the Executive Secretary be instructed to immediately advertize for bids to be opened September 8; 1958 specifying 1959 models. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and unanimously adopted. . ? tNELFARE SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY - A letter was received from the New Hanover County Board of Public.Welfare •???'' explaining that as Mrs. Helen B. Sneeden had now been certified as a full Superinten- dent she was entitled.to an adjustment in her salary from $5280.00 to.$5520.00 effect- ive July 1, 1958. By common consent, the Board agreed to take care of this matter in adopting the Budget. CATTLE BARN ARENA• - Mr. Louis W. Latham, Chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the Chamber --+! of Commerce, was recognized by the,Chairman and explained that he had made a study of ?C other similar livestock bar.ns and found that experience proved that those with con- crete floors were kept so much cleaner and more sanitary so he suggested that the Board consider having the new arena cemented before the next cattle show to prevent an accumulation of pungent odors that would be abnoxious. He suggested that the engin- eering department of State College be requested to furnish specifications for the work. DRAINAGE - ? Miss Florence D. Grimes, 3511 Market St., was recognized by the Chairman and explained that for several years she had been troubled with neighbors allowing their drain off water to drain down on her property and she wanted the Board to take some action for relieving the nuisance. The Board instructed the Executive Secretary to investigate the matter and take whatever action was required within the County's responsibility. INDIGENT WELFARE CASE Mr. William P. Bass, who was sent to the County Home in January by the Depart- ---? _ ment of Public Welfare, came before the Board and explained that because of his age it was difficult for him to care for himself but that he was very much disatisfied at the ? County Home because it was, in his opinion, a prison camp instead of a home for elder- ly people and he requested that they provide him with a satisfactory room. The Chair- man explained that the County Home was the only place provided by the County for those .who needed care. He was again referred to the Department of Public Welfare and they were instructed to assist him in whatever way possible. • ATTENDANCE OFFICER - Mrs. Helen B. Sneeden, Superintendent of Public Welfare, appeared before the Board in behalf of the restitution of funds for the visiting teacher program in the ?Sr•'School Budget and stated that if there was no truant officer, the duties,,,and r,esponsi- bilities fell upon her department and that her.personnel was strained to keep'up their present duties and it would be a real burden to them if they did not restore the funds. A letter was received from the County Council of Parents and Teachers on this same sub- ject requesting the Commissioners to reconsider their previous action as it was invit- ing truancy that is always a forerunner of delinquency which would cause absenses and affect the State allocation of teachers. As the Board had already taken this step at their regular meeting last week, no further action was required. ,