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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-12 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, MAY 12, 2016 PAGE 544 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 4:15 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chairman Beth Dawson; Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Skip Watkins; Commissioner Woody White; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Deputy County Attorney Kemp P. Burpeau; and Deputy Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell. Chairman Dawson 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 May 16, 2016 Regular Meeting. As no items were brought forward by the Board for discussion, Chairman Dawson asked County Manager Chris Coudriet to begin the staff updates. County Manager Coudriet stated that Assistant County Manager Tim Burgess will present an overview on Consent Item 5 of the agenda and Chief Communications Officer Ruth Smith will present the suggested legislative agenda for the NC General Assembly short session. Staff Updates Bylaws Establishing the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee. Assistant County Manager Tim Burgess reported that during the December 14, 2015 meeting the Board directed county staff to work with city staff to prepare the appropriate documentation establishing the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee. Consent Item 5 for the Board’s consideration and potential adoption are the Bylaws establishing the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee. The Wilmington City Council will consider adoption of these Bylaws at their Tuesday, May 17, 2016 meeting, which is supported by City staff. This would be a 12 member committee appointed by the Board and City Council. The Sheriff and Chief of Police or their designees would also serve as non-voting, ex-officio members. It would serve as an advisory group to the appointing authorities and other organizations as appropriate. It is anticipated they would meet at least on a quarterly basis. Both appointing authorities would be obligated to provide operational support on a rotating 2-year basis. The City would take the first 2-year rotation by providing staff support to keep the committee organized and running. In response to questions, Mr. Burgess stated he doesn’t anticipate having to add staff to provide support but rather it would have to come from existing staff. Mr. Burgess noted Article V of the Bylaws states the duties of the committee. There is no clause in the Bylaws that would trigger an evaluation of the committee. At any time either the City or the County could address questions about how the committee is functioning to see if there are needed revisions. Legislative Priorities for Short Session. Chief Communications Officer Ruth Smith reminded the Board th that County Assembly Day was May 18 and provided a review of the following legislative priorities of concern to the County:  Support beach funding and matching funds policy change – lay the groundwork in 2016:  The County is fully engaged at the Federal level on this matter; this is the “insurance” piece at the State level for the future.  There is general support amongst all coastal counties to work to find a secure, sustainable funding at the State level and if necessary, be able to have match funding.  This will be addressed during the long session of the Legislature but the groundwork is being laid now.  Protect against sales tax redistribution proposals:  th Senator Brown released a bill on May 17 that will change the adjustment factor rate under Article 40 for counties from current rates to a new standard rate based on the current economic tier designation.  It repeals $17.6 million which was appropriated from the State last year as part of the local sales tax redistribution plan to be distributed to those counties most impacted by the local sales tax redistribution plan. If passed, this will impact how those distributions are calculated.  Based on staff projections the total current negative impact to New Hanover County and its municipalities would be approximately $2.6 million.  Staff understanding is that as of today it is likely just a discussion item for this session and not incorporated in the budget. Recommendation is a measured approach to a response.  Support legislation to modify Article 43 – from public transportation to general purpose government:  Article 43 is what is authorized for the voters, in counties where there is a public transportation authority, to approve a quarter-cent sales tax specific to public transportation. It’s narrowly confined to those purposes.  The proposal is to convert the tax to a general purpose, voter approved quarter-cent sales tax.  The bill has passed the House and is eligible for consideration in the current short session.  This is an NCACC 2016 Legislative Goal. The County already has a general purpose quarter-cent sales which was approved in 2010. In response to questions, County Manager Coudriet stated the County cannot have two general purpose quarter-cent sales taxes.  Preserve and enhance current film grants; and protect historic preservation tax credit. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, MAY 12, 2016 PAGE 545  Support effort to fund North Carolina Search and Rescue teams:  This is supported by NHC Fire Services, City of Wilmington Fire and others. Also supported by the Department of Public Safety.  Purpose is to make sure there is a steady source of funding for the Urban Search and Rescue program.  Oppose unfunded mandates and shifts of state responsibilities to counties. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Dawson adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Deputy Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.