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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-16 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2008 PAGE 476 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, October 16 2008, at 4:07 p.m. in the Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room, Room 601, at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell. Chairman Robert G. Greer was absent. Vice-Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the Board?s October 20, 2008 Regular Session meeting agenda. The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 15 ? Approval of Release of Taxes Barred by General Statute 105-378. In response to questions, Finance Director Avril Pinder clarified that North Carolina General Statute 105- 378 does not allow force collection of any taxes after ten years; therefore, the Collector of Revenue is requesting release of charges for 1997. The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 19 ? Consideration of a Resolution Supporting Wilmington Downtown, Inc.?s Request to the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. Vice-Chairman Caster reported Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach have adopted resolutions to only support the elimination of the three-day wait rule. Staff has prepared two resolutions for the Board?s consideration; one resolution supports both requests and one resolution supports only the elimination of the three-day wait rule. John Hinnant, Executive Director of Wilmington Downtown, Inc., will be in attendance to present the request. The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 20 ? Public Hearing Regarding the Issuance of Hospital Revenue Bonds in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,000,000. Finance Director Avril Pinder reported that the Board is required to conduct a Public Hearing regarding the issuance of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center revenue bonds. The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 21 ? Consideration of Series Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Issuance and Sale of the County of New Hanover Variable Rate Hospital Revenue Bonds in the Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $40,000,000. Finance Director Avril Pinder reported that for the Board?s consideration is a Series Resolution providing for the issuance of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center revenue bonds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000. The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 22 ? Presentation: Highway 17 Association. County Manager Bruce Shell reported that Marc Finlayson, Executive Director of the Highway 17 Association, will be in attendance to present the update. The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 23 ? Consideration of New Hanover County Identity Theft Prevention Program. Finance Director Avril Pinder reported as required by General Statute, the purpose of this policy is to communicate to employees and third parties their responsibility for protecting sensitive and confidential information and a response plan in the event that there is a breach of information. A resolution has been drafted for the Board?s consideration. CLOSED SESSION RESCHEDULED Vice-Chairman Caster announced that the Closed Session to conduct annual performance evaluations for the County Attorney, Clerk to the Board and County Manager has been rescheduled for the Board?s November 10, 2008 meeting. ADDITIONAL ITEMS DISCUSSION ON SOUTHEASTERN CENTER The Board held discussion concerning Southeastern Mental Health Center funding with Area Director Dr. Art Costantini and staff. The following information was presented: ? A year-end audit report has not yet been presented to the Southeastern Center Board. At that time the Southeastern Center Board will be in a better position to make a recommendation. ? A financial plan has not been presented to the Southeastern Center Board. ? The $5 million that is being held by the County are construction funds not operating funds. ? The letter dated October 10, 2008 from our local legislators requesting the release of $2 million to Southeastern Center is for operating expenses. ? The contract with Southeastern Center states that if for any reason, construction of the facility has not begun by June 2009; the County will return the real property and the five million dollars to Southeastern Center. ? Both Brunswick and Pender County Commissioners would need to be contacted concerning the return of funds to Southeastern Center and an amendment to the contract would need to be agreed upon mutually by Southeastern Center and New Hanover County. ? An audit of patient services has been performed and appropriately reduced where not medically necessary. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2008 PAGE 477 After brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Board for the Chairman to respond in writing, on behalf of the Board, to the local legislators stating that theBoard believes the request is premature and the work that is currently underway should be allowed to be completed. At that point, all parties will be better informed to make a recommendation. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY Commissioner Kopp introduced a resolution for the Board?s consideration requesting the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority to roll back rates so that no customer is charged more than a nine percent increase over those rates in effect prior to July 1, 2008 for comparable consumption, and that those customers who have paid in excess of such rate receive a refund or credit. BUDGET UPDATE County Manager Bruce Shell presented a budget update reporting that a memo has been sent to Department Heads asking for their help in reducing expenditures in order for the County to face the worsening economic situation. Effective Thursday, October 16, 2008, a hiring freeze was put in place until further notice. Travel and training based upon essentiality will be limited. A Department Head meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2008, where specific plans to reduce the budget by cutting expenditures will be discussed. There being no further business, Vice-Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sheila L. Schult Clerk to the Board