2009-02-12 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 PAGE 541
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, February 12,
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
Robert G. Greer; 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.
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and
discuss the Boards February 16, 2009 Regular Session meeting agenda.
The Board reviewed the order of agenda items for the meeting.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 2 Approval of Renewal of Existing Ambulance Franchise for
Convalescent Care. Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau presented the request highlighting that New Hanover
Regional Medical Center, as the County Ambulance Services Administrator, has no objection to the renewal under
the previous terms and conditions, for convalescent care only.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 12 Consideration of Request by Southeastern Center for the
Return of $2 Million Held in Escrow for Facility Construction. Assistant County Manager Chris Coudriet presented
the request stating that Foster Norman, Area Director for Southeastern Center for Mental Health will be in
attendance to present the request. Staff provided copies of the current agreement and the proposed amendment to
the agreement.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 14 Consideration of a Resolution to Petition the North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to petition the Environmental Protection Agency to
Establish a No Discharge Zone in the Estuarine Waters within New Hanover County. Environmental Planner
Shawn Ralston presented the request. In response to Board discussion, staff was directed to revise the resolution to
include verbiage clarifying that the designation of a No Discharge Zone within the coastal waters of New Hanover
County includes the Intracoastal Waterway and all tidal creeks that drain to it, as well as all waters that extend to a
point three nautical miles off the shoreline of New Hanover County and does not include the Cape Fear River.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 15 Presentation on Sales Tax. Finance Director Avril Pinder
provided a brief overview of the presentation. In response to Board discussion, staff was directed on specifics to
include in the presentation.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 16 Committee Appointments. The Board reviewed the
committee appointments.
The Board adjourned the Agenda Review portion of the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
The Board discussed the following items:
·
Animal Control Services Director, Dr. Jean McNeil presented a highlight of two Bills that have been
filed in the House that would restrict how counties can euthanize unwanted or dangerous animals in
county animal shelters:
H6 (Davies Law/Humane Euthanasia in Shelters) would eliminate a countys ability to use
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carbon monoxide or any other gas as a method of euthanasia and would require shelters to
dismantle any facility or equipment used for that purpose.
H27 (Regulate Euthanasia of Animals) implements similar restrictions, although it does allow a
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county animal shelter to use carbon monoxide or other gas to euthanize a wild animal if it is
dangerous to try to give the animal a lethal injection.
After brief discussion, the Board endorsed the Chairman, on behalf of the Board, to send a letter to
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the local legislative delegation opposing the two proposed Bills.
·
Risk Management Specialist Tiffany Allen provided an update on the progress in the lawsuit against
the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Insurance Commissioner concerning proposed
insurance rate increases:
An appeal was filed in Superior Court regarding Judge Hales denial of the plaintiffs motion for a
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hearing before the N.C. Commissioner of Insurance.
The petition for a stay of administrative decision has been heard, but a ruling has not been made.
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The Board reviewed the agenda for the Solid Waste Work Session and directed staff on the changes to be
made to that agenda.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 PAGE 542
There being no further business, Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board