1958-09-29 Regular Meeting?d7 1
Minutes of the Meeting September 22, 1958 Continued
INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT -
( Continued ) the Tax Supervisor in some of his duties. A free discussion resulted in a
motion by Mr. Williams authorizing the Executive Secretary to attend that school if he
thought it be a help to the County Government. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and
when the vote was called the only nN0" uote was registered by Mr. Broadhurst so the Chair-
man ruled the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT -
Upon motion of Mr. Mayhan, seconded by Mr.
voted itself adjourned.t . t ,
. . ? - ?
ASSEMBLY
Broadhurst, the Board unanimously
. ,
W. G. Houck, Executive
lailmington, N.C. September 29, 1958
The regular weekly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
was held this day in the Commissioner's Room o£ the Court House at 9:30 A. M. PRESENT:
Chairman J. M. Hall, Jr., Commissioners L. E. Broadhurst, J. E. Holton, Jr,, Ernest
R. Mayhan and Berry A. Williams, Commissioner-Elect Peter H. Braak,. County Auditor
T. D. Love and County Attorney John Bright Hill. In the absence of the Executive Secre-
tary,` Mr. W. G. Houck, County Auditor Love acted as Clerk to the'Board.
INVOCATION - Chairman Hall called the meeting to order and asked Reverend E. G. Connette,
Jr., Pastor of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, to open the meeting with a prayer
for guidance.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES -
By common consent, approval of the minutes of the meeting held on September
22 was deferred until the next meeting since copies mailed to each o£ the Commissioners
had not been?received. ,
TA% SETTLEMENT - 1957
Sam W. Johnson, Tax Collector, presented a preliminary settlement for 1957
Taxes. Mr. Williams quest.ioned Nr. Johnson in regard to the Insolvent List. Mr, Holton
moved, seconded by Mr. Williams, that the preliminary settlement be accepted and instruct- ?l
ed Mr. Johnson to exhaust every means possible to collect all the taxes he could from ?the insolvents.
STATEMENT OF 1957 COUNTY 'fAX
Charges as per Re-cap 1957 Tax Scroll• 1,517,060,95
Errors as per Audit September 195$ 7.504.44
` , ` 1,509,556.51
Listed as per Abstract Real Estate and Personal Property
Not Listed Real Estate '
Less Abatements
Late Listings by Auditor, Personal Book
Listed by Tax Collector, Garnishee
Penalty Collected
Advertising Cost Collected
Real Estate Sold for Taxes
Late and Not listed Sold for Taxes
Insolvents ,
Tax Prepayments ,
Discount Allowed
Collected by Tax Collector and Deposited in
Wilmington Savings & Trust Company
Collected. 95.3%
1,486,653.1$
22.903.33
1,509,556.51
2,807.38
1,506,749.13
$86.85
1,294.62
3,637.4$
61:40
1,5122629.4$
41,395.65
7,0$1.64
23,372.74
y.26,1z7.36
2,680.55
1.012,046.21
1,512,704.15
Sam W. Johnson
City and County Tax Collector
Continued- Next page
A
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Minutes of the Meeting September 29, 1958 Continued
TA% SETTLEMENT - 1957
CORRECTION TO SCROLL 1957 TAXES !
As found by J. B. McCabe & Company September 195$
NEW HANOVER COUNTY ORIGINAL . CORRECTED
Valuation Amount Valuation
As Presented -Property 123,377,593.00 1,480,531.11 12323779593.00
Loss (.04)
Page 164 - Wilmington White Personal (410.00)
Page 417 - Wilmington Negro Personal 260.00
Page 139 - Nasonboro White Personal (925.00)
Page 105 - Harnett White Yersonal 365.00
Harnett Negro Personal - Error in Totals (601,410.00
122,775,473.00
ax:?z?mx??xmx?
Amount
1,4$0,531.11
(.04)
(4.92)
3.12
(li.lo)
4.3$
(7,z16.92)
1,473,365.63
BOARD OF ELECTIONS - • • •
Mr. Henry C. Bost, Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Elections,
v0 appeared and requested an advance payment of $1500.00 on election.expenses to be incurred
? in the November election. Mr. Mayhan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, that
the $$1500.00 be advanced to Mr. Bost. Mr. Love was instructed to issue a check for same,
and the motion-carried unanimously.
AIRPORT - •
? Mr. John W. Westbrook, Manager of the Bluethenthal Airport, appeared before
the Board and presented a letter from the CAA which was in answer to a.letter he had
written them. Discussion was entered into in regard to the proposed purchase of proper-
ty £rom Mr. Bruce B. Cameron to be used in connection with the airport. Mr. Broadhurst
questioned Mr. Westbrook as to why the navy had spent so much money on one runway and.it
not be accepted by the CAA. Mr. Williams was of the opinion that this Board should appoint
a committee of three of its members to further discuss with Mr. Cameron the purcfiase of
his land in order that the land might not have to be condemned. Mr. Wi•lliams was of the .
opinion that we had had a local Real Estate Board give an expert opinion as to the value
of the land and we had also had receit appraisal by the Cole-Layer-Trumble Company,• ex-
perts in appraisals, and in his opinion these appraisals very closely estimated a going
value for the property in question. He recognized, however, that the County desired pro-
pertp that was owned by an individual and he was agreeable to an offer slightly above
that which had been appraised. Mr. Hall saw no further need for conferences as Mr. Cameron
had stated to him that he was not interested in disposing of his property. A£ter discuss-
ion, Mr. Williams moved that the Chairman ap oint a cotnmittee of three members to have a
conference with Mr. Cameron and to offer him ?500.00 an acre as a fair price for the land
in question and that Mr. Cameron was to give an answer not later than Wednesday, October
lst at 5:30 P. M. lhis motion was seconded by Mr. Mayhan and carried. hSr. Hall voted
against the motion. It was°decided that this.meeting was to be recessed until 5:30 P. M.
October lst in order that the committee might render its report at that time, after having
conferred raith MrCameron' by that date. The committee was giveri the authority to act
and the County Auditor was instructed to draw a check for $500.00 payable to Mr. Cameron
in order that the deal might be consumated. Mr. Hall appointed Mr. Holton, Williams and
Mayhari as, a committee to wait on Mr. Cameron and requested that they report back at the re-
ce°ssed meeting at 5:30 Y. M. October lst.
EO.UNTY HOME BOILER - '
Bids were opened by Mr. Hall for a boiler at the County Home in line with the
recent` advertisement for same. The following bids were submitted:
Ideal Plumbing Company $2096.00
Longley Supply Company 11997.50
Springer Coal & Oil Company 2,242.07
0$5.0$
TM Alternate Bid 2
,
,
< Jordan-Blanton-Myers 22325.00
After consideration, Mr. Broadhurst moved,'Mr. Williams seconded the motion, that the pur-
chase•of the boiler be made from the low bidder, the Longley Supply Company. Mr. Love,
Pwrchasing Agent for the County, was to forward a purchase order to the Longley Supply
Company and a letter to be written in acceptance of their bid, delivery to be made within
ten days o.f receipt of order. ,
GUNFIRING,IN POPULATED AREAS -
Nr. hall stated that complaints had been received in regard to the firin,g of
guns in populated areas of the County. Mr. Williams said that he had asked Mr. Houck to
put this matter on the agenda since a number of people had called him in regard to same
and upon checking he had found that the Sheriff had no authority to act on the matter. He
thought that legislature should be considered. The County Attorney was instructed to
confer with members o£ the 1'egislature in regard-to this matter. The Sherif£ was to be
v notified to do what he could in this connection and pass on any suggestions he might have.
?
3 e,
???
Niinutes of the Meeting September 29, 195$ Continued
?
AIRPORT STORM DAMAGE - . ?
Mr.,Westbrook, Manager o£ the Airport, informed the Commissioners about damage
to various structures at the airport. P'Ir. Williams brought up at this time the question
of additional hangers. Mr. Westbrook was instructed to ivork up details in connection with
this and present a complete report to the Commissioners.-
PROPERTY LIEN -
Mr. Addison Hewlett appeared with Mrs. Helen Sneeden relative to property own-
ed by Elijah Hewlett in which 157 heirs are involved, one of the heirs is a recipient of
old age assistance and a lien is against ariy property she might own. It was antici,pated
that this heir would receive about $$38.00 from the sale of the property in question and
of this amount, approximately $500.00 would go to apply against any lien the County has.
Mr. Hewlett asked the Commissioners to authorize the release of this lien. Upon motion
made by Mr. Holton, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, this request was voted on and granted.
COURT HOUSE ROOF DAMAGE -
The question of ttie condition'of'the roof on the Court House, particularly the
tower section,was discussed and the Executive Secretary was to investigate and make a re-
port to the Commissioners.
STREET NANiE - EDGEWOOD DRIVE ,A request from Mrs..Shelton•D. Corbett,.in regard to the naming of a street in
their community as "Edgewood", was considered and the Executive Secretary was instructed
to write Mrs. Corbett and ask another name be considered as apparently the're was already
a street by the name she had suggested.
REGISTER OF DEEDS ' OFFICE -
Nir. Robert L. Black, Register of Deeds, appeared before the Board in regard to
some painting going on in his office and requested that this work be done over the weekend,
possibly on Saturday if agreeable, since it was presenting a hardship to?their particular
office. By common consent, the Board authorized Mr.fBlack to contact Mr. Herbert C. Riven-
bark and plan with him as to a convenient time to have this work done.
GROINS AT CAROLINA BEACH
Thet Executive Secretary was instructed to make preliminary arrangements with
the State Highway Commission in regard to an access road and if this was success£ul, the
County would consider the building of the groins.
COUNTY DRAGLINE
Discussion was entered into relative to the County dragline. Mr. Holton suggest-laj)-r,--?
ed that a committee be appointed from various agricultural agencies and other interested
agencies to serve as an advisory committee as to the proper work to be carried on in the
County by the dragline, Mr. Williams made a motion that an advisory drainage committee
be appointed to work out recommendations for a long range program to be presented to the,
Board for their determination of the schedule of priority and that the Executive Secretary
be charged with the responsibility of carrying out the program in accordance with the es-
tablished policy of the Board, and, further, that the Executive Secretary be authorized
to employ Ray Mitchell as an operator of the dragline on the basis of a 40 hour work week
at the rate of $2.00 per.hour. NIr. Holton seconded the motion which was adopted by the
Board but.Mr. Broadhurst voted "NO". ' - ' ', ? ..._' - .
PARKING ORDINAN.CE - COURT HOUSE
_ Mr. Hall had Mr. Hill read an ordinance which had been drawn up in regard to
parking in the,County Court House property. Mr. Holton moved,and Mr. Vdilliams seconded,
that the ordinance be adopted. The motion was carried. The Executive was to draw up
recommendations in regard to the parking situation and the effective date was to be decid-
ed upon at a later date. Mr. Broadhurst desired to be recorded as voting against the pro-
posal.
INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT -
Mr. John Bright Hill, County Attorney, informed the Board that the Institute of
Government was having a meeting in Chapel Hill for all County•Attorneys, October lOth and
llth, and since only one meeting was held each year £or this group, he felt it would be of
benefit for him to attend. By common consent, the Commissioners authorized Mr.,_Hill to
attend this meeting.
TIDEWATER NATURAL GAS COMPANY - " ,
A binder check in the amount of $250.00 was received from the Willetts Realty
Company, a part payment for the purchase of the 5 acre tract at the o1d Sanitorium site
by the Tidewater Natural Gas Company. A survey of the property by Mr. M. H. Lander was
discussed and the County Attorney was instructed to draw a Warranty Deed in favor of the
purchaser of the property, after he had conferred with Mr. Lander. •
WILDiINGTON MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION
By common consent, the Board authorized payment of a bill from the Wilmington
Merchants Association in the amount of $12$.16.
' ATTORNEY FEES
County Attorney Hill presented a bill from George Rountree, Jr., attorney, in ?
the amount of $500.00 plus expenses and printing. After discussion, motion was made by
I?r. Broadhurst appropriating from the Emergency Fund the sum of $500.00 expense for attor- ney £ees and this appropriation to be entered in the Budget of the County Commissioners.
•A check for$250,00 was authorized to pay Mr. Rountree immediately as a retainer since he
" had aiready prepared a brief in the case, upon motion of Mr. Broadhurst, seconded by Mr.
Holton and unaninously aiopted. •
ADVERTISING ALLOTMENT
P4r. Williams reported on a meeting that he had attended with the Executive Com-?
mittee of,the Chamber of Commerce in regard to the advertising allotment of $4,000 which had
• previously been made by the Commissioners. The County Attorney was requested to investi-
gate the legality of making the advertising allotment to the Chainber of Commerce and report
_ back to the Board. .
HURRICANE HELENE -
Mr, Broadhurst suggested that a letter o£ commendation be forwarded from the
?
,3 10.'
Minutes of the Meeting - September 29, 1958
HURRICANE HELENE -
Board of County Commissioners to the State Highway Patrol officials, Civil De-
fense, Sheriff, and Civil Air Patrol in appreciation of the splendid work done by their
departments during the recent Hurricane by the name of Helene. This was approved by
common consent. -
RECESS -
There being no further business to be presented before the Board, Mr, Holton
moved that the meeting recess until 5:30 P. M. Wednesday afternoon, October lst. The
motion was seconded by Dir. Broadhurst and unanimously adopted.
m%k* Myi'?>F i" %F* + YFm
Commissioners' Room 5:30 P. M. October 1, 195$
RECONVMTION - ,
Pursuant to a recess taken at the regular meeting held Monday, September 29th,
the Board reconvened with the following members present: Chairman J. M. Hall, Jr.,
Commissioners L. E. Broadhurst, J. E. Holton, Jr., E. R..Mayhan and Berry.A. Williams
and Commissioner-Elect Peter H. Braak,?County Attorney John Aright Hill and County Audi-
tor T. D. Love. .
AIPORT -
The Chairman called the meeting to order to receive a report on their• confer-
? ence with the owners of the property necessary for use in.the airport improvements of the
r?v?.rptr? approach landing lights for the safety of instrument landing of modern airplanes. Mr.
V ? J. B. Holton, Jr. spoke for the committee and informed the Board that they had unanimously
agreed to the following proposal: "For the consideration of $500.00 per acre(acreage to
be determined by'a competent surveyor), I will deed a permanent avigation easement on a
fifty to one glide angle extending into my land to a point3500 feet SouthHrardly along the
axis o£ Runway # 34 and running Eastwardly from this ooint $75 feet perpendicular to the
axis of the runway; thence Northwardly and parallel to the axis of the Runolay to Smith's
Creek; thence Northwestwardly with Smith's Creek to a point where the Creek is $75 feet
from-the axis of the Runway measured per,pendicular to the axis; thence Southwardly and
parallel to the axis of the Runway to a point opposite (on the perpendicular) to the point
oY beginning; thence Eastwardly to the point of beginning.
In addition, I will give a fee simple deed and title for an area 200 feet on
each side of the projected axis of the Runway from Smith's Creek to a point 3200 feet
Southwardly from the end of the Runway with the proviso that in event that this property
at any future date is not needed in connection with the Airport, easement will be relin-
quished and the land resold to the seller or his heirs at the same price paid o it in
? their option." This means that Mr. Cameron has agreed to sell sufficient acreage and
give a fee simple deed to a strip 400 feet xide and 3200 feet in length from the end of
the present Runway and to give a permanent easement on.the property-alongside for a width
of 1750 feet and a length to include the resent center marker. Mr Holton moved adopt-
ion and acceptance of this proposition. ?his was seconded by Mr. Williams and unanimous-
ly adopted. During the discussion, the Chairman reminded the Board that in considering
this proposition they must keep in mind that an apprisal had been made at $125.00 per
acre and that the Board had some obligation to the taxpayers which must be considered.
He also observed that the Federal Government would pay half of the cost of this project.
He further remarked that while the Realty Board appraised the land at $125.00 per acre,
the owners thought this ridiculous,and considered the land to be worth from $2,000 to
$3,000 per acre since they were selling land at that price within three blocks of this
same location. The County Attorney and Airport Manager were instructed and authorized
to pxoceed immediately to draw the necessary papers and notify the proper authorities of
this action.
APPROPRIATION - ? .
s-? Upon motion of Mr. Mayhan, seconded by Nir. Holton, an appropriation from the
Emergency Fund was unanimously authorized sufficient to cover all the expenses and costs
in connection with the handling of this Airport project, such as easements, land purchases,
surveys, legal and appraisals in accordance with the contractural agreement above.
PUBLIC HEALTH LUNCHEON -
The Consolidated Board of xealth in£ormed the Board that a group of instructors
-? and students from the University o£ North Carolina at Chapel Hill would arrive in Wilming-
7A.a? ton on October 6th to study the Public Health system.in this County and that in the past
it had been the custom of the City and County to entertain them at a luncheon so upon mo-
Lion of Mr. Broadhurst,,seconded by Mr. Williams, the Chairman was unanimously authorized
to proceed with arrangements for approximately fifty people, to be held at the Ark at
12:30 F. M on Monday, October 6th.
ROAD PETITION -
A Petition was received for maintenance of Parkwood Drive by a group of property
owners on that street. Upon motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, the Bca rd
unanimously authorized it sent to the State Highway Commission for their consideration and
? approval. ' .
e?
AMBULANCE SERVICE - '
' The Chairman reminded the Board that unless some action was taken with reference
to supporting the Ambulance Service in this County, they sould suspend public operation
effective October '3rd. He was disturbed about the County and City being without some
sort of ambulance emergency service and urged the Board to give it very careful thought.
It was recognized that this was a joint obligation of the City and County and that further
study should be made before the service was allowed to be suspended. After .some discuss-
ion, it was agreed that the Chairman be instructed to discuss the matter with Mr. D. L.
Christian, owner of the present ambulance service, and see if he would be willing to con-
tinue service until after the first o£ next week so that a conference could be held in-
cluding the City and County officials, Recorders Court Judge Smith and the Highway Patrol.
,