2008-09-18 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 PAGE 454
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, September 18
2008, at 4:09 p.m. in Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room, Room 601, at the New Hanover County Government
Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner
William A. Kopp; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau; Clerk to the Board
Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. was absent.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and
discuss the Board?s September 22, 2008 Regular Session meeting agenda. An additional meeting of the Water and
Sewer District is needed to consider a technical amendment to the personnel section of the Interlocal Agreement
with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 10 ? Ratification of Grant Application for Healthy Carolinians
Funding. In response to Board questions, Finance Director Avril Pinder confirmed that no local match is required.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 12 ? Approval to Accept Donation of a 40-ton Air Cooled
Chiller. The unit is planned for future growth to supply heating and cooling to the warehouses at the Simpson
Complex.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 19 ? Consideration of a Resolution in Support of Posting
Highway Signs to Acknowledge the Historic Contributions of the Thalian Association to New Hanover County.
Vice-Chairman Caster will read the resolution into the record.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 20 ? Consideration of a Resolution to Petition the North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Establish a No Discharge Zone in the Estuarine
Waters Within the Town of Wrightsville Beach's Jurisdiction. Assistant County Manager Dave Weaver presented
an overview of the request and answered questions from the Board.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 21 ? Consideration of a Resolution Directing the Filing of an
Application with the Local Government Commission for Approval of the Issuance of Hospital Revenue Bonds in an
Amount Not to Exceed $40,000,000 and Certain Related Matters and Making Related Findings. In response to
Board questions, Finance Director Avril Pinder clarified that the hospital is requesting to sell debt for reimbursement
for the costs associated with the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, including (i) additional construction of a
surgery pavilion and related facilities, (ii) additional construction to the women?s and children?s pavilion and related
facilities and (iii) the acquisition and installation of information system and other operating equipment; and
approving the appointment of a financing team to effect the issuance of such hospital revenue bonds.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 22 ? Discussion Regarding Letters to the ABC Commission.
Vice-Chairman Caster stated that he has received two letters from Wilmington Downtown, Inc. to the ABC
Commission. The first letter requests the ABC Commission to adopt a new membership provision that would allow
an instant membership, thereby eliminating the three-day wait rule. The second letter requests the ABC
Commission to revise the fee structure for Liquor by the Drink retailers and empower local law enforcement to
assist ALE officers. John Hinnant, Executive Director of Wilmington Downtown, Inc. is requesting that the Board
submit similar letters of support. Sheriff Sid Causey answered questions from the Board and provided input.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 23 ? Public Hearing to Solicit Citizen Comments Concerning
Amendment to the New Hanover County 2007 Scattered Site Housing Program. Planning Director Chris O?Keefe
provided an overview of the request clarifying that the amendment to the plan proposes to reallocate a majority of
housing rehabilitation funds from rehabilitating ten houses, to rehabilitate one house and provide three replacement
houses. Funds will be used for demolition and clearance, temporary relocation assistance, and replacement housing.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 24 ? Consideration of New Hanover County 2010-2011 Work
First Plan. Department of Social Services Assistant Director Wanda Marino provided an overview of the request
highlighting the changes that were recommended and approved by the Board of Social Services at its meeting on
September 2, 2008.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 25 ? Consideration of Revisions to New Hanover County Code,
Section Five: Animals & Fowl. Animal Control Services Manager Jean McNeil provided an overview of the request
clarifying that the proposed changes will serve as a means to prevent unsavory breeding practices by allowing yearly
inspections of kennels and access to kennels to investigate complaints.
Health Director David Rice presented an overview of the following items:
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 26 ? Consideration of Request to Change Health Department
Fee Policy to Increase Fees for Hepatitis A, B and A/B Vaccines Resulting in a Total Increase in Revenues of
$30,000. The increase in fees is necessary to support the cost of providing the vaccines and the need to maximize
revenues from third party insurers, who will pay only up to the cost of billed fees. The current fees for these
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 PAGE 455
vaccines is well below the fees charged by surrounding county health departments and private providers in New
Hanover County, and is also below the rate paid by third party insurers.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 27 ? Consideration of Request to Change Health Department
Fee Policy to Increase Fees for Flu Vaccine to $32.00 per dose. The proposed changes include a $13.50 per dose
increase for the vaccine and $18.50 per dose increase for the administration fee. This measure will increase
revenues for the County and will ensure all potential reimbursements from third party insurers (such as Medicare)
will be collected at the maximum amount Medicare/third party insurers will pay.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 28 ? Consideration of Award of New Hanover County Judicial
Building Storm Water Pump Station Bid to East Coast Contracting, Inc. Interim County Engineer Dennis Ihnat
presented an overview of the request stating that East Coast Contracting is the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder
in the amount of $320,830.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 29 ? Consideration of Grant Application for the Institute for
Museum & Library Services for Conservation Project Support. Cape Fear Museum Director Ruth Haas presented an
overview of the request stating that staff is requesting to submit a grant application for funding to enable
conservation of three of the most significant objects in the collection. If funded, the Museum will contract with a
certified textile conservator. The estimated cost for treatment is approximately $40,000. The Museum will be
required to pay 50% of the cost. The Museum will meet its match through donations and restricted funds that can
only be used for acquisition and conservation. Sufficient funds are available to meet the matching requirements for
the project that will last over two years.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 30 ? Consideration of Proposed Legislative Goals. County
Manager Shell provided an overview of the proposed goals for the Board?s consideration for submittal to the North
Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Committee.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 31 ? Committee Appointments. The Board reviewed the
committee appointment applications.
District Chairman Kopp reported that the only item on the Water and Sewer District Agenda is Consent
Agenda Item 32 ? Approval of Technical Amendment to Section 6-7, Personnel, Interlocal Agreement with the
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. He requested that Cape Fear Public Utility Authority General Manager Matt
Jordan be present to update the Board and the public on billing issues.
There being no further business, Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board