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2015-11-12 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, NOVEMBER 12, 2015 PAGE 409 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, November 12, 2015, 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 Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Beth Dawson; Commissioner Woody White; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Commissioner Skip Watkins was absent. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda Copley; and Clerk to the Board Teresa Elmore. Chairman Barfield 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 16, 2015 Regular Meeting with discussions as noted: Consent Item 4: Approval of Grant Submittal to the 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to Replace Personal Protective Gear. Commissioner Zapple noted that the funding source for the grant is the Federal government through Homeland Security/FEMA. If awarded the grant funds of $857,622 would purchase 104 respirators for Fire Services. Regular Item 12. Subcommittee Report on Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for Cost Sharing Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Projects (CSDR) and Consideration of Alternatives. Shore Protection Coordinator Layton Bedsole reported that the subcommittee of the Port, Waterway and Beach Commission has completed its discussion of alternatives for the 17.5% local participation of Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Projects and funding options will be presented to the Board at Monday’s meeting. Mayor-elect/Commissioner Emilie Swearingen and Town Clerk Nancy Avery of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach Town Manager Michael Cramer were present. Staff Updates: Trillium Jail Diversion Concept Chief Strategy and Budget Officer Beth Schrader reported that the County has been working with Trillium to determine the number of inmates who have a substance abuse problem or mental health concern that may be diverted from the jail population.  Inmate Analysis Study Period: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2015  Unduplicated Inmate Population = 13,223:  Disqualifiers with the following charges:  Methamphetamine possession  Sex Crimes  Non-payment of child support  Not affiliated with a gang  Classified as non-violent or inmate worker  Inmates with known mental illness; and/or substance use disorder = 1,578  Qualified inmates booked five or more time during the study period = 149 (frequent flyers)  Qualified inmates incarcerated for less than one day during the study period = 203:  123 males and 80 females  May qualify for a wet alcohol shelter (arrested for DWI charge, revoked license, assault, etc.)  Recommendation to be presented to the Board in December to construct a potential peer supervisor facility that would deal with drug treatment and alcoholism. County Manager Coudriet said that building a treatment facility would be an option instead of adding to the jail or building a new jail because of the increasing inmate population. The two-year study showed that 1,500 inmates (7,000 bed nights) were in jail because of substance use disorder or mental illness and that another type facility may be more affordable than a jail facility. Vice-Chairman Dawson commented on the Trillium Regional Advisory Board discussing the potential of bringing other treatment options to the County and Greenville, NC, such as the Healing Place/Healing Transitions, and using community reinvestment funds for the facilities. The option is being considered as an opportunity to help those in need of treatment and save money on jail construction. Changes to Economic Development Rules Chief Strategy and Budget Officer Beth Schrader reported on substantial changes made by the General Assembly regarding local governments spending tax dollars on economic development programs. Henceforth, every appropriation for economic development must have a 10 day notice given and a public hearing held prior to approving any expenditure, including items already approved in the budget. The County is working with the School of Government in determining the procedural changes that will be needed. In the future, when the County conducts a public hearing for the budget, a public hearing will be called for economic development issues, such as funding for Southeastern Economic Development, Wilmington Business Development, etc. A public hearing will be scheduled in December for any economic development expenditures that will come up for the remaining budget year. Also, a public hearing is required for each disbursement of an incentive payment, such as for General Electric. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, NOVEMBER 12, 2015 PAGE 410 Chairman Barfield left the meeting at 4:25 p.m. for an appointment and Commissioner White left the meeting at 4:30 p.m. for a meeting of Cape Fear Community College. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Vice-Chairman Dawson adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.