2009-01-29 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, JANUARY 29, 2009 PAGE 531
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, January 29,
2009, at 4:05 p.m. in the Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230
Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson; Commissioner
William A. Caster; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the Board
Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Commissioner Robert G. Greer was absent.
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and
discuss the Boards February 2, 2009 Regular Session meeting agenda.
The Board reviewed the order of agenda items for the meeting.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 11 Consideration of Proclamation Recognizing John E. Dunn,
III as Mr. Toys for Tots. Vice-Chairman Thompson will read the proclamation into the record.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 12 Consideration of Healthy Heart Month Proclamation.
Commissioner Caster will read the proclamation into the record.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 13 Consideration of Resolution of Intent to Participate in the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant Application Process. Community Development Planner Wanda Coston
presented an overview of the request and answered questions from the Board. Commissioner Greer will read the
resolution into the record.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 14 Request by South College Associates for a Special Use
Permit for a High Density Residential Development in an R-15 Residential District located in Johnson Farms Tracts
off South College Road near Still Meadow Drive. Planning Director Chris OKeefe presented an overview of the
request and answered questions from the Board.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 15 Election of Board of Directors for the New Hanover
County Financing Corporation.
The Board discussed Additional Regular Agenda Item 16 Consideration of Proclamation Declaring
February 2009 as Human Relations Month in New Hanover County. Commissioner Barfield will read the
proclamation into the record. County Manager Shell requested this item be placed first on regular agenda.
The Board discussed Additional Regular Agenda Item 17 Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the
Submittal of a Safe Routes to School Grant Application for Ogden Elementary School. Planning Director Chris
OKeefe presented an overview of the request. Chairman Davis will read the resolution into the record.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
County Attorney Wanda Copley presented the request by Bob Sepe, the Countys cable advisor, who
recommends that the County oppose a petition filed by Charter Cable with the FCC seeking to move Public,
Educational and Government channels from the basic tier to the digital tier. If Charters petition is granted by the
FCC NHC-TV could be moved from the basic tier to the digital tier. According to statistics from Mr. Sepe, 60% of
the cable TV viewing public would not have access to NHC-TV or the other channels.
The proposed action is to oppose Charters petition in early February. The cost for the maps, data analysis,
and to prepare the petition would be five to ten thousand dollars. The County may be facing the same issue with
Time Warner Cable in the near future.
After discussion, the consensus of the Board is to direct staff to file a petition opposing the request by
Charter Cable.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
The Board discussed the following items:
·
The Board directed staff, as requested by the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners, to send an email to them concurring that an increase in Federal funding is a
priority for Counties.
·
The Board endorsed the Chairman, on behalf of the Board, to sign a letter to Steve Underwood,
Assistant Director of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, commenting on the
Beach and Inlet Management Plan that is currently under development by the North Carolina
Division of Coastal Management.
·
Chairman Davis reported that he has requested the Cape Fear Community College Board of
Trustees to update the Commissioners on construction projects on their campus.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, JANUARY 29, 2009 PAGE 532
·
Commissioner Barfield reported that he met with Foster Norman, the new Director for
Southeastern Center for Mental Health. A request for funds in the amount of $2 million, currently
being held by the County, is forthcoming. The funds are needed for continuing operating costs for
the remainder of this fiscal year.
There being no further business, Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board