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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-17 Regular MeetingNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 171 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, November 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, NC. Members present: Chairman Woody White; Vice-Chair Beth Dawson; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; and Commissioner Thomas Wolfe. Commissioner Brian M. Berger was absent. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda Copley; and Interim Clerk to the Board Teresa P. Elmore. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Reverend John A. McLaughlin, St. Jude Metropolitan Community Church, provided the invocation and Vice-Chair Dawson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman White welcomed and congratulated Sheriff McMahan on his recent re-election as Sheriff and welcomed and congratulated Commissioners-elect Skip Watkins and Rob Zapple. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chairman White asked if any member of the Board would like to remove or discuss any item on the Consent Agenda. Hearing no comments, Chairman White requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Wolfe, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes – Governing Body The Commissioners approved the minutes from the following meetings: Agenda Review Meeting held on October 30, 2014 Regular Meeting held on November 3, 2014 Approval to Incorporate the Town of Wrightsville Beach's Hazard Mitigation Plan into New Hanover County's Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan – Emergency Management The Commissioners approved adding the Hazard Mitigation Plan of the Town of Wrightsville Beach to the County’s Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. In an effort to create a regional plan with Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender Counties, the Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman requested to be included in the County’s Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The regional planning process has started and the updated plan will be completed before the current County plan expires in February 2016. Approval of Guidelines for Use of the Unincorporated District Second 3% Room Occupancy Tax Fund – Finance Department The Commissioners approved the guidelines for use of the Unincorporated District Second 3% Room Occupancy Tax collected in the unincorporated area of the County. On September 15, 2014, the Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) to address changes resulting from Session Law 2014-87. The memorandum clarified the intent of using tourism activities funds from the unincorporated area for inlet maintenance. To direct the allocation of these funds to inlet projects within the County, guidelines were established. The TDA approved the guidelines at its October 29, 2014 meeting. Approval to Accept Four Donations for Accession into the Museum’s Permanent Collection – Cape Fear Museum The Commissioners approved the acceptance of four donations of regional artifacts for accession into the Cape Fear Museum’s permanent collection. The objects were approved by the Museum Advisory Board at its meeting on October 15, 2014 and a list of the items is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum. Approval of Changes to the Museum's Collections Policy – Cape Fear Museum The Commissioners approved revisions to Chapter 13 Access and Chapter 17 Photography/Filming of the Museum’s Collections Policy. The Museum reviews and revises its Collections Policy on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of changes and trends in best practices as recommended by professional organizations in the museum field. The change to the policy ensures that the Cape Fear Museum will maintain its professional standing as an institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The changes were approved by the Museum Advisory Board at their meeting of October 15, 2014. Approval of Release of the Levy for Tax Year 2004– Tax Department The Commissioners approved the release of the levy for tax year 2004 from the charge as the ten-year statute of limitations prohibits using forced collection measures to collect these taxes. The amounts are deemed insolvent and uncollectible. The total amount to be released is $382,638. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 172 A copy of the release is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XXXVIII, Page 19.1. Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments – Budget Department The Commissioners adopted the following Budget Ordinance Amendments for fiscal year ending June 30, 2015: 15-023 Sheriff’s Department 15-024 Sheriff’s Department 15-025 Finance Department Copies of the budget ordinance amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XXXVIII, Page 19.2. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS TO RETIREES AND EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward and be recognized for their retirement from the County. Gerald McDuffie, Environmental Management Department with 30 years of service Cindy Reed, Department of Social Services with 20 years of service Susan Rossiter, Emergency Management/911 Department with 30 years of service Chairman White presented a retirement award and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service to New Hanover County. County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Year: Margaret Burns, Department of Social Services Ten Year: Devonia Harrison, Department of Social Services Jill Morris, Health Department Fifteen Year: Carolyn Johnson, Register of Deeds Frank Meyer, Fire Services Jeffrey Rohena, Sheriff’s Department Twenty Year: Mary Brown, Department of Social Services Henry Green, Property Management Mark Murphy, Department of Social Services Twenty–Five Year: Linda Huffman, Department of Social Services Renee Tootoo, Health Department Chairman White presented a service award to each employee and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service. PRESENTATION OF NC HOUSING AWARD Frankie Roberts, Executive Director of LINC, Inc., expressed appreciation to the County for its support of the program housed in the Marvin E. Roberts Transitional Living Facility. The County leases property to the program for a dollar per year to house and help people who were formerly incarcerated. The NC Housing and Finance Agency recently recognized the program as well as the County and Cityas having one of the best housing facilities in the State that provides support services. The Commissioners expressed appreciation to Mr. Roberts for all the work that he does in the community. NEW HANOVER COUNTY ABC BOARD ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County ABC Board Chairman Cedric Dickerson presented the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board annual update with highlights as follows:  Appreciation for continued support from County:  Assistant County Manager Avril Pinder, Ex-officio Board member  County Attorney Wanda Copley, her legal staff and risk management staff  Human Resources Director Mark Francolini for assistance with personnel issues  Overall working relationship between the County and ABC Board  ABC Board Organization:  Board Members: Cedric Dickerson, Chair; Robert Martenis, Vice Chair; Augustus Everett; William Kopp; and Thomas Wolfe  Management Team: Dan Sykes, CEO; Gary Cain, Retail and LBD Operations Manager; Danny Meeks, Purchasing and Logistics Manager; and Carol Martin, Finance and Administrative Officer NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 173  New ABC Complex at 6009 Market Street  Size: About 32,000 square feet  No loans incurred – paid cash for land and improvements and related purchases  Construction completed on time and on budget  Moved in and setup September 24th – October 8th  Building functions:  Headquarters (Finance and Administration, General Management and multi-purpose room for meetings, training sessions, etc.)  Main Warehouse  Additional major outlet for mixed-beverage permit holders (LBD)  Customer Service:  Retail Sales:  Continue to expand product selection and quantities  All retail stores operate the maximum hours allowed by law  Mixed Beverage Sales:  The new mixed-beverage store built as a convenience for permit holders  Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE):  Continue to contract with Sheriff’s Department – four full-time officers plus a direct supervisor (current year budget is $306,000, plus replacement purchase of an ABC Officer’s vehicle of $25,000)  Continue to contract with Wilmington Police Department for two non-funded ABC law enforcement officers  Continue to fund Wilmington Downtown Task Force ($180,000 annually to the County)  State ALE Section moved to the Department of Public Safety  District ALE office moved from Wilmington to Jacksonville  Financial Information:  Independent auditors issued a “clean” audit report for year ended 06/30/2014  Total sales: up $1.4 million (4.02%)  Taxes Related to Sales: up $322,000 (3.8%)  Gross profits: $477,000 (5.34%)  Operating Expenses: up $204,000 (5.46%)  Operating Income: up $273,000 (5.24%)  Local Taxes and Profits Distributed: down $2,000  Distributions: Taxes, Profits and Local Law Enforcement for FY Ended 6/30/2014  Entities and related distribution amounts:  State of North Carolina Agencies: $10,640,951  New Hanover County: $2,511,365  City of Wilmington: $1,252,761  Town of Wrightsville Beach: $476,410  Town of Carolina Beach: $294,519  Town of Kure Beach: $11,756  Total Tax, Profit and Law Enforcement Distribution: $15,187,762  Annual Efficiency Goals as established by the NC ABC Commission:  Operating Profit/Gross Sales – goal of 9.0%; actual 15.09%  Inventory Turns – goal of 6.0%; actual 7.24%  Operating Costs – goal of .67% or lower; actual .38%  All ABC Commission Goals were exceeded by a significant amount  Human Resources:  Personnel 55 full-time equivalents  Annual personnel turnover rate of 5.2%  Diversity reviewed on a calendar-year basis; continues to be in-line with the diversity of the County’s population estimates  Pay increases have been provided annually based on job performance (merit):  1.75% for “meets expectations” ratings (for current fiscal year)  2.50% for “exceeds expectations” ratings (for current fiscal year)  A one-time productivity bonus was paid to eligible employees in August 2014  A third-party compensation and classification study performed during the year  Pay scale revised and some benefits tweaked  The Board’s Succession Plan reviewed annually  Current/Future Endeavors: th  Plans to renovate 17 and Castle Streets facility - renovations in progress  Completed project to yield:  A more spacious, up-scale retail store with better product selection  A larger, more efficient store for mixed beverage permit holders  Ample storage areas to support both stores and allow for product “buy-ins”  Design phase will include a community review and discussion process  Both stores to remain open during renovation  Construction expected to take between six to nine months NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 174 Commissioner Wolfe reported that the ABC Board is a 100% stand-alone agency and results in 40% of its sales going back into the community. He complimented the ABC Board for the tremendous turnaround in the organization because of its leadership and excellent staff. He also reported that the NC Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner Jim Gardner recently announced a new program that will start in Wilmington to help reduce underage drinking. Wilmington was chosen as a grant recipient because of the efforts of several ALE agencies working together in the downtown area. On behalf of the Board, Chairman White thanked Mr. Dickerson for the update. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE PRICE OF PROPERTY FOR THE NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE AND APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 15-026 Dr. Tim Markley, Superintendent of New Hanover County Schools and Eddie Anderson, Director of Facility Planning and Construction, were present to answer questions from the Board concerning the purchase of property at 202 Edgewater Club Road to serve as a new elementary school in the northeastern area of the County. At the July 21, 2014 meeting, the Commissioners approved $782,677 for the design of the school. The construction of the new elementary school is one of the fourteen priority projects to be funded through the recently approved school bonds. Commissioner Wolfe spoke regarding the high purchase price of $90,000 per acre and urged the Board of Education to land bank property at lower prices per acre for future school needs. Dr. Markley thanked Commissioner Wolfe for his assistance in finding several twenty-acre tracts for the Schools to consider. He said that unfortunately schools follow developments and as land is more developed the price per acre increases. He pointed out the following information about the purchase of the property:  The surveyed 17.97 acres of undeveloped land exceeded the appraised acres by 1.17 acres;  The site is the preferred and first choice of the Board of Education;  The costs of development are largely built into the land value, i.e., road frontage and water lines already exist;  The area will benefit by a regional lift station from a private development interests and will positively affect the tax base;  The best price with the least amount of infrastructure cost after purchase. Mr. Anderson reported that the developer is working with Cape Fear Utility Authority to enter into a development agreement for the regional lift station for the school and surrounding neighborhoods. The closing attorney has the survey for the 17.97 acres. Chairman White requested direction from the Board. Motion : Commissioner Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to adopt the resolution approving the purchase price of $1,617,300 as negotiated by the School Board and the property owner of 202 Edgewater Club Road for the Northeast Elementary School site and to approve Budget Amendment 15-026. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. Copies of the resolution and budget amendment are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XXXVIII, Page 19.3. NEW HANOVER COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Library Advisory Board Chair Virginia Teachey presented the Library Advisory Board annual update highlighting the following information:  Library Advisory Board Members 2014:  T. Gwendolyn Grear Brown, Denise Chadurjian, John F. Gardner, III, Ellen B. O’Malley, John Osinski, Deloris H. Rhodes, Harriet Smith, Paul R. Smith, Elizabeth Stanfield, Emilie F. Swearingen, Chair Virginia Teachey, Bradford L. Walker  Four Physical Branches: Carolina Beach Library, Myrtle Grove Library, New Hanover County Public Library (Main), Northeast Regional Library  One Virtual Branch  Current and Projected Service Map:  Carolina Beach, Myrtle Grove, Northeast, Main Library, North Chase  2014 in Review:  909,160 visitors  1.35 million circulation  340,098 website visits  3,000+ programs for children and adults  15,931 volunteer hours  The Library’s Vision: An exciting destination where people gather, ideas flourish, and the information and technology resources needed for a community to prosper are made freely available.  The Library’s Mission: To enrich and enhance the quality of life of each individual we touch. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 175  Strategic Priorities (2014-2019):  The Organization:  Recruit and Place the Right Talent  Build an Effective Organization  Effectively Train and Engage the Workforce  Operations:  Strengthen Stakeholder Relationships  Continuously Improve Facilities  Provide Exceptional Customer Service  Review Strategic Alignment  Maximize Library Operations  Stewardship:  Strengthen Stakeholder Relationships  Provide Cutting-Edge Technology  Develop Sustainable Funding  Build Strong Partnerships  Develop Quality Information, Resources and Collections  Add Facilities and Staff to Meet Growth  Community Experience:  Creating Library Experiences that Matter  Be a Welcoming and Dynamic Destination  Provide a Wealth of Resources  Foster Literacy and Technology Competency  Exceed Community Expectations  Deliver Exceptional Services and Experiences  Strategic Alignment:  Superior Public Health and Public Safety:  Seed Library  Consumer Health Programs and Resources  Story Walk Available at Hugh MacRae Park, Carolina Beach Park, and Smith Creek Park  Fire Services collection  Outcome: New Hanover County’s rate of obesity is reduced and healthy living practices increase  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development:  Veterans’ Workforce Solutions  Local History Preservation and Access  Job Labs  Gale Courses  Foundation Center  Facility Enhancement  Smart Investing@Your Library  Outcome: A stronger tax base is created resulting in better jobs for New Hanover County residents  Superior Education and Workforce:  Story Place  NHC Ready to Read  LEGO League Grant  Teacher Request Service  PNC Grow up Great  Outcome: More New Hanover County children enter kindergarten ready to learn.  New Hanover County Public Library programming focuses on five simple practices to help children get ready to read:  Talking: Talking with children builds vocabulary and thinking skills.  Singing: Singing is a fun way to learn new words and how to put words together.  Reading: Reading at library and outreach events promotes reading at home.  Writing: Hands-on activities help build dexterity story sharing skills.  Playing: Playing helps children put thoughts into words.  NHC Ready to Read helps parents understand how to use five familiar practices to develop early literacy skills.  Creating Library experiences that matter for the families and children of New Hanover County through events such as Story Extravaganza and Kids Music Fest The Commissioners expressed appreciation for the efforts of the advisory board and staff for the many programs at the libraries that enrich the lives of children and adults. On behalf of the Board, Chairman White thanked Ms. Teachey for the update. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 176 PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECTION 5310 ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,000 Chairman White announced that the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center has prepared an application to submit to the N.C. Department of Transportation for funds available from U.S. Department of Transportation through Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program for FY15-16. The application amount is $175,000. If awarded, the funds would be used to provide transportation for seniors (age 65 and older) and disabled clients whose special needs make it difficult or impossible to use standard public transportation. He requested a motion to open the public hearing. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Wolfe, to open the public hearing. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. Chairman White opened the public hearing to hear comments from anyone who wish to speak on the validity of the application for Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Funds in the amount of $175,000. No comments were received from the public. Chairman White requested a motion to close the public hearing. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Wolfe, to close the public hearing. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. In discussion, Senior Resources Center Manager Brenda Brow, explained that the NCDOT grant is to purchase transportation services for seniors and the disabled using taxi services and WAVE transportation. WAVE is unable to apply for the grant. The one-year grant replaces the previous two-year grant. Chairman White requested direction from the Board. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Dawson, to adopt the resolution approving the request to submit the application for Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Funds in the amount of $175,000, provide the required local match, make the necessary assurances and certifications and be empowered to enter into an agreement with the NC Department of Transportation to provide public transportation services. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0. Break : Chairman White called a break from 9:55 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. PRESENTATION OF FIRE CONSOLIDATION FEASIBILITY STUDY Kent Greene, Emergency Services Consulting International, presented the Agency Evaluation Update and Consolidation Feasibility Study of New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington Fire Services highlighting the following:  Agency Evaluation Update:  Organization Overview  Capital Assets  Staffing and Personnel Management  Service Delivery and Performance  Support Programs  Future Opportunities for Cooperative Efforts:  Options for Shared Services  Fiscal Analysis  Implementation Plan  New Hanover County  1998 Cooperative Efforts Feasibility Study  2009 Cooperative Efforts Feasibility Study  City of Wilmington  2006 Fire Department Assessment  Observations:  Both departments operating at a high level  Recommendations from previous studies largely implemented  Departmental differences DO exist:  NHCFR part-time personnel  Apparatus staffing levels  Standards of cover  Already working cooperatively in some areas:  Closest unit response  Limited training  Shared fire prevention/code enforcement space  Future Opportunities for Cooperative Efforts: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 177  Functional Consolidation:  Enhanced Mutual and Automatic Aid  Uniform Pre-Incident Planning  Combined Administrative and Support Services  Regional Health and Safety Programs  Joint Apparatus and Equipment Purchasing  Regional Training Program  Regional Code Enforcement and Life Safety Education Program  Regional Apparatus and Equipment Repair  County currently travels to Fayetteville, NC for repairs  Operational Consolidation:  Status Quo  Operationally Consolidated Emergency Services Delivery  Joint Powers:  Joint Governing Board of Elected Officials  Joint Goals for Service Delivery  Options for Funding:  Area  Service Demand  Population  Valuation  Multiple Variable Options Accessed Service Jurisdiction Area Value Demand Population Composite New Hanover County 71.5% 46.8% 32.6% 44.7% 57.2% City of Wilmington 28.5% 53.3% 67.4% 55.3% 42.8% Legal Unification (full merger): Fiscal Analysis NHCFR WFD Total Personnel Cost $6,976,184 $13,769,386 $20,745,570 Operating Cost $3,035,345 $1,895,208 $4,930,553 Capital $1,464,934 $55,583 $1,520,517 Total $11,476,463 $15,720,177 $27,196,640 Administrative and Support NHCFRWFDProposed Potential Fire Chief 1 1 1 0 2 2 Deputy Chief Assistant/Division Chief 3 0 4 1 5 0 Battalion Chief 3 5 8 Inspector (All Ranks) Training Officer (All Ranks) 2 4 6 0 4 0 Firefighter .5 1.5 2 Educator Garage Supervisor 0 1 1 0 2 3 Mechanic 1.5 0 2 Hydrant Technician Logistics Staff 1 1 2 Analyst 1 2 2 2 4.5 6 Clerical 16 33 39 Total Operational Personnel NHCFR WFD Total Proposed Division Chief 0 0 0 3 Battalion Chief 3 6 9 9 Captain/Lieutenant 27 48 75 81 Apparatus Operator/Engineer 49 0 49 81 Master Firefighter 0 45 45 0 Safety 0 3 3 3 Firefighter 18 90 108 162 Total 97 192 289 339  Public Input:  Two sessions held, moderate attendance, and good questions NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 178  Employee Survey:  Conducted internally 40% participation  Conclusions:  Advantages:  Functional cooperative efforts will improve efficiency.  Economies of scale can be realized through the larger organization.  Service delivery will be improved across the entire county, including the City of Wilmington.  Potential to bring in other partners such as the beach communities.  More consistent and coordinated emergency response.  Greater efficiency in the administrative and support elements.  Increased staffing to the unincorporated areas and increased ability to assemble resources quickly.  Administrative consolidation could save as much as $640,000.  Improved operational safety with more staff.  Disadvantages:  Funding of the combined organization may be difficult to determine at the outset but future strategies could produce a lower cost to the consumer.  Potential for increased cost up front but the potential for greater efficiencies in the future through attrition.  Loss of control and/or oversight by one or both of the current government entities.  Full consolidation would require additional personnel if consistent staffing methodology is to be applied. Could cost as much as $3.3 million. Additional command staff for an operational consolidation could cost $273,000 in salaries alone.  Implementation Plan:  Visions Session with Policymakers  Establish Joint Implementation Committee:  Executives  Fire Chiefs  Finance Directors  Community Representatives  Develop Implementation Strategic Plan  Establish Implementation Working Groups  Governance  Finance  Legal  Operations  Support Services  Labor  Communications  Meet, Identify, Challenge, Refine and Overcome In discussion of the report, Fire Chief Donnie Hall responded to questions on the employee survey and said that he reviewed the preliminary results but would need further study and direction from the Commissioners to proceed with research and analysis. He requested the Board to direct staff to schedule a joint meeting with City Council in the first quarter of 2015 to provide additional information. In response to questions on the high cost comparisons of the City and County compared to national and State averages, Mr. Greene responded that the benchmarks provided by the census bureau are based on budgets compared to population for each locality. Some areas may have a volunteer organization and they may not provide emergency medical treatment transport. The County provides a career fire department at higher levels of service and higher costs. The trend is that fire services are providing more medical emergency responses as fire prevention programs have reduced the number of fire emergencies. The result is more expensive medical equipment installed on vehicles. County Manager Coudriet requested the Commissioners to accept the report and direct staff to move forward in preparing for a joint meeting with the City in early 2015 in order for the joint Boards to give further direction on whether to proceed with consolidation or a legal merger. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Wolfe, to accept the Fire Consolidation Feasibility Study and give direction to staff to prepare for a joint meeting with Wilmington City Council in the first quarter of 2015 in order to determine direction of operational consolidation or a legal merger. Vice-Chair Dawson requested that two additional public meetings be held in other areas of the County to hear comments from citizens on their expected level of services. She said she would be interested in knowing what the employees of both fire departments think would be of benefit that may come from either a functional or a legal consolidation. Chairman White called for vote on the motion. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 179 Vote Results: Upon vote, the motion CARRIED 4 TO 0. APPROVAL OF CAROLINA BEACH INLET MAINTENANCE DREDGING, FOURTH QUARTER 2015 Shore Protection Coordinator Layton Bedsole requested the Board approve Budget Amendment 15-028 to appropriate funds to cover half of the estimated cost of $273,000 for the dual dredge plant effort at Carolina Beach Inlet. The cost will be shared with the NC Division of Water Resources with each paying $136,500. The County would use District U second 3% funds from the Tourism Development Authority for the County's portion of the dredging. Motion : Commissioner Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to approve Budget Amendment 15-028 to appropriate funds from District U Funds in the amount of $136,500 for inlet maintenance dredging at Carolina Beach Inlet. Upon vote, the motion CARRIED 4 TO 0. A copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XXXVIII, Page 19.4. APPROVAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE FLEMINGTON FORCE MAIN Assistant County Manager Tim Burgess requested approval of a three-party interlocal agreement (ILA) among the County, City of Wilmington, and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) for funding of a 12- inch wastewater force main to be constructed beneath the Cape Fear River near the Cowan Street pump station and a 12-inch water line to be constructed beneath the Northeast Cape Fear River near the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. Under the proposed ILA, the estimated $1.2 million construction and inspection cost (project cost) would be shared equally between the Authority and the County. Should a property within the City contribute flow through the force main, the City would reimburse the Authority and the County a proportionate share of the project cost up to a maximum of $400,000. The project is scheduled to start in April 2015 and be completed by April 2016. The CFPUA has approved the project and City Council will consider the ILA at its meeting on November 18, 2014. The Board will hear information on expanding utility lines along US Highway 421 corridor at the Joint Special Meeting on economic development later in the afternoon. A key component on providing sewer to the corridor will be getting sewer lines across the river. When the Flemington Force Main Project is completed, the Highway 421 Corridor would be open for economic development. He requested the Board approve the agreement, authorize the Chairman to sign it, and approve Budget Amendment 15-027 to appropriate fund balance in the amount of $600,000 to fund the project. Motion : Commissioner Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to approve the Interlocal Agreement for the Flemington Force Main Project, authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement, and approve Budget Amendment 15-027 to appropriate funds from the fund balance in the amount of $600,000. In further discussion, Mr. Burgess explained that the proposed 12-inch force main would provide one million gallons per day and that amount would be adequate to meet the development needs of the 421 corridor. Once on the other side of the river, the lines would terminate at pump stations. County Manager Coudriet concurred that CFPUA has assured the County that the proposed 12-inch lines would prepare and accommodate the build out of the Highway 421 corridor. It is estimated that 1,000 acres is available for development along the corridor. Commissioner Wolfe, a member of the CFPUA, reported that he had discussed the proposal with Jim Flechtner, Executive Director of CFPUA, and when they learned that Duke Power would be taking a 6-inch line across the river to the Flemington area, he proposed a 12-inch line in order to plan for the future economic development of the Highway 421 corridor. Vote Results : Upon vote, the motion CARRIED 4 TO 0. A copy of the interlocal agreement is available in the Legal Department and a copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XXXVIII, Page 19.5. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee Chairman White reported that up to eight vacancies exist on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee with one applicant available for appointment. Without objection, the Board appointed Elizabeth Williams to serve a one-year term on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee with the term to expire on November 30, 2015. Appointment to the Plumbing Board of Examiners Chairman White reported that a vacancy exists on the Plumbing Board of Examiners with one applicant eligible for reappointment. Without objection, the Board reappointed David K. Woodbury to serve a three-year term on the Plumbing Board of Examiners with the term to expire on December 1, 2017. Appointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman White reported that three vacancies exist on the Zoning Board of Adjustment with four applications available for consideration and requested direction from the Board. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 180 Commissioner Barfield nominated Andrew Barnhill for appointment and Chad McEwen for reappointment, as regular members and Colin J. Tarrant for appointment as an alternate member. The nominations were seconded by Vice-Chair Dawson. Vote Results : The Board voted 4 TO 0 to appoint Andrew T. Barnhill and reappoint Chad McEwen as regular members and reappointed Colin J. Tarrant as an alternate member to serve three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustment with the terms to expire on December 1, 2017. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman White reported that no one had signed up to speak on non-agenda items. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman White adjourned the meeting at 11:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Interim Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire proceedings are available for review and checkout at all New Hanover County Libraries and on-line at www.nhcgov.com.