2014-10-30 Agenda ReviewNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 30, 2014 PAGE 161
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review Meeting on Thursday,
October 30, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center,
230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present: Chairman Woody White; Vice-Chair Beth Dawson; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield,
Jr.; and Commissioner Thomas Wolfe. Commissioner Brian Berger was absent.
Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; and Interim Clerk to
the Board Teresa P. Elmore.
Chairman White called the Agenda Review meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the
meeting is to review and discuss the Board’s agenda items for the November 3, 2014 Regular Meeting with
discussion as noted:
Consent Item 2: Adoption of a Proclamation Recognizing November 8 - November 15, 2014 as Coast
Guard Cutter DILIGENCE Week in New Hanover County.
Vice-Chair Dawson announced that the
DILIGENCE will have its fiftieth anniversary celebration on November 11, 2014, and she will present the
proclamation at the celebration.
Consent Item 3Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Wilmington Regarding Wave
:
Transit
. After a brief discussion of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) meeting the major goals of last year’s
discussions with Wilmington City Council, Finance Director Lisa Wurtzbacher reported that the Cape Fear Public
Transportation Authority had voiced concern with the amended ILA. Although they did not object to the City and
County moving forward with the execution of the ILA, they requested further discussion of items not addressed in
the amendment. They asked for a voting representative from the Leland/Brunswick County area and to address
specific issues of asset distribution should the City and County decide to dissolve the Authority.
Consensus
: The Commissioners agreed that the amended ILA sufficiently met criteria of the dissolution of assets
and liabilities as it was based on funding levels of the City and County and would be determined as part of the
business valuation process. The membership was not increased.
Consent Item 4: Adoption of Proclamation Recognizing Adoption Awareness Month
. Director
LaVaughn Nesmith announced that the Southeastern Adoption Consortium consisting of the Departments of Social
Services of New Hanover, Bladen, Brunswick, Onslow, and Pender Counties will be hosting the National Adoption
Awareness Month Annual Picnic on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Hugh MacRae Park and invited the
Commissioners to join them.
Regular Item 9: Public Hearing and Consideration of Special Use Permit - Request by Design
Solutions on Behalf of Gordon Road Investments, LLC to Develop a Multifamily High Density Residential
Project at 4645 Gordon Road.(S-621, 10/14)
Current Planning and Zoning Supervisor Ben Andrea presented an
overview of the request for the multifamily high-density residential project. He responded to questions on density
requirements for the R-15 Residential Zoning District and stated that a Special Use Permit is required for any
increase in density. Nearby residents expressed concerns with the road connection to Shaw Drive and increase
traffic issues. He reported that there is potential for the existing community to connect to water and sewer service if
they share the cost burden and build the necessary infrastructure improvements along the existing roads. Water and
sewer service and capacity would be available.
Update on Cape Fear Community College Facilities
Chairman White, as a member of the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees serving on the
Facilities Committee, reported on recent meetings regarding the consideration of a bid award contract for $41
million to build the Advanced and Emerging Technology Center. The bid award was tabled twice due to a number
of reasons; however, in between meetings the contractor reduced the price by almost $4 million. The Facilities
Committee will meet again next week to reconsider the contract.
Chairman White presented the following information and concerns:
The 2008 Master Facilities Plan for the $164 million bond referendum called for a build-out of 431,000
square feet of construction from a list of 14 priorities.
Union Station and the Fine Arts and Humanities buildings along with a parking deck were
constructed. A campus at Surf City was added.
Total build-out from bonds: 440,000 square-feet
The Master Plan projected enrollment growth at 31.5%.
Enrollment increased by 17%.
The veterinarian technician program may no longer be available.
General Electric no longer requires a laser enrichment lab.
Administrative building vacant due to administration and college foundation moved to Union Station.
Downtown campus has many needs and requires renovations.
The Commissioners authorized payments of $647,781 from general fund for mold/mildew eradication and
replacement of hot water boilers in McLeod Building.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 30, 2014 PAGE 162
Chairman White contended that the facility needs from the bonds have been met and he questioned whether
to move forward with additional construction until a space utilization study had been completed. As the County has
made a long-standing commitment to the college, he did not believe it meant resources should be unlimited and
without scrutiny. He wanted to keep the Commissioners informed of the circumstances, as they would ultimately
authorize any further issuance of bond debt.
Commissioner Barfield reported that several trustees have contacted him in support of new construction
and he commented on the importance of the college to area businesses for long-term job training and to continue
economic prosperity of the region.
Vice-Chair Dawson expressed appreciation for the update and agreed that further review of facility needs
would be prudent.
Chinese Delegation Report
Vice-Chairman Dawson reported that she recently represented the County when speaking to a delegation
from Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province in Southwest China. The young professionals were
visiting the area to learn more about local governments, the banking industry, and the real estate business.
Community Meeting on New Hanover County School Bond Referendum
Vice-Chair Dawson reported that a community meeting on the New Hanover School bond referendum
would be held at Myrtle Grove Middle School starting at 5:00 p.m. that evening. She would be attending and
speaking in support of the bond referendum.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman White adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa P. Elmore
Interim Clerk to the Board