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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-18 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 869 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, September 18, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chairman Woody White; Vice-Chairman Skip Watkins; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Patricia Kusek; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell. MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman White led the audience in a Moment of Silence and Commissioner Kusek led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chairman White requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments – Strategy and Budget Department Commissioner Zapple requested more information regarding Budget Amendment 18-010 from Soil and Water Conservation Program Manager Dru Harrison. Ms. Harrison stated that funds for the Stream Debris Removal project are to remove stream debris resulting from past and recent hurricanes, ice storms, and tornadoes. The project will take place at Smith Creek, Mott’s Creek, Prince George Creek, Reserve at West Bay, and a tributary of Prince George Creek. The work should begin this Fall. These funds are from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Soil and Water Conservation and are separate from any Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. Chairman White called for a vote for the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes – Governing Body The Commissioners approved the minutes of the Agenda Review Meeting of August 31, 2017 and Regular Meeting of September 5, 2017. Adoption of Proclamation Recognizing New Hanover County’s First Responders – Communications and Outreach The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing Wednesday, September 20, 2017 as First Responder Day in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 37.1. Approval to Submit a 2018 Grant Application to the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program for Funding in the Amount of $43,000 – Sheriff’s Office The Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing the Sheriff's Office to submit a grant application to the Governor's Highway Safety Program for funding in the amount of $43,000 for the "Booze It and Lose It" and "Click It or Ticket" to be used for in-state and out-of-state travel reimbursements for Sheriff's Office personnel assisting in the campaigns and training and the purchase of a DWI Simulator. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 37.2. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Repair, Restoration and Rebinding of Register of Deeds Record Books – Register of Deeds The Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing the removal of record books from the Register of Deeds office for repair, restoration and rebinding. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 37.3. Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendments – Strategy and Budget Department The Commissioners adopted the following budget ordinance amendments for fiscal year ending June 30, 2018: Emergency Management and 911 Communications 18-004 Library 18-002 Park Bond 18-015 NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 870 Senior Resource Center 18-005, 18-007 Sheriff's Office 18-011, 18-012, 18-013, 18-014, 18-017 Soil and Water 18-010 Copies of the budget ordinance amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 37.4. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Shaniqua Marshall, Sheriff’s Office Ten Years: Larue Fuller, Health Janine Powell, Parks and Gardens Fifteen Years: Trena Ballard, Health Marie Walker, Social Services Twenty Years: Rudolph Shackelford, Fire Services Twenty-Five Years: Angela Benton, Social Services Catherine Timpy, Health Chairman White presented a service award to each person and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service. County Manager Coudriet requested the following new employees to step forward and be introduced: Alexis Barfield, Social Services Katharine Baillon, Museum Erica Browne, Emergency Management/911 Frank Brunson, Environmental Management Ivan Caicedo, Social Services Taylor Cook, Emergency Management/911 Matthew Emerson, Register of Deeds Jared Hall, Communications and Outreach Calvin Herring, Environmental Management Jacob Hester-Heard, Emergency Management/911 Darrel Holmes, Criminal Justice Partnership Heather Jernigan, Health Kelsi Langley, Emergency Management/911 Thomas McAllister, Emergency Management/911 Teresa Nelson, Senior Resource Center Allie Price, Senior Resource Center Haleigh Reaves, Property Management Jonathan Reece, Emergency Management/911 Sarah Smith, Social Services Fredrica Woods, Emergency Management/911 Katelyn Wright, Emergency Management/911 The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL UPDATE Nicolas Montoya, Tourism Development Authority Chairman and Kim Hufham, Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) President/CEO presented an update on the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority highlighting the following:  State of Tourism:  2016 Tourism Expenditures of $553.60 million – 6.3% increase  New Hanover County tourism generated $49.29 million in local/state taxes  More than 6,150 employed in travel and tourism related jobs - $129.81 million in payroll  Each New Hanover County resident’s taxes were offset $220.88  Maintained: #8 ranking among NC’s 100 counties and #2 ranking among coastal counties  2016/17 Room Occupancy Tax (ROT) Collections:  Fiscal Year (FY) 2016/17 ROT collections up 12.99%  Calendar Year (CY) 2017 up 10.99% (January thru June)  Second 3% collections for FY 2016/17:  Carolina Beach – 21.49%  Kure Beach – 10.12%  Wrightsville Beach – 10.44%  Wilmington – 12.61%  Convention Center District – 4.47%  District U (unincorporated area) – 24.52% NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 871  2016/17 ROT Total Collections of $12,472,342:  2016/17 ROT Distribution:  Beach Erosion – $3,353,547 (27%)  Tourism – CVB – $2,235,698 (18%)  Carolina Beach – Marketing and Activities – $1,157,362 (8%)  Kure Beach – Marketing and Activities – $484,679 (4%)  Wrightsville Beach – Marketing and Activities – $1,311,484 (11%)  Wilmington Convention Center – $3,657,410 (30%)  District U – Marketing and Activities - $272,162 (2%)  2017/18 Total Revenues of 6,003,284:  Revenues – 1st 3% ROT: 2,362,022  Appropriated Fund Balance – District U: 214,400  Convention Center Marketing: 426,415  Revenues - 2nd 3% ROT: 3,000,447  2017/18 Expenditures: 17/18 Budget 16/17 Budget % Change  First 3% - CVB Budget: $2,362,022 $2,076,450 13.75%  Marketing = $1,827,491  Administration = $363,325  Visitor Services = $171,206  Convention Center Marketing $ 426,415 $ 419,035 2%  nd 2 3% Budgets: $3,000,447 $2,604,870 15.19%  Carolina Beach = $1,087,551  Kure Beach = $448,433  Wrightsville Beach = $1,217,463  District U = $247,000  Total 17/18 Budget Expenditures $6,003,284 $5,341,755 12.98%  FY 2017-18 Marketing Highlights:  New brand direction and creative campaign refresh  Capitalize on new riverfront developments through advertising, PR & FAM trips  Join Google Destinations Partnership CVB Program to provide destination content and educate tourism businesses on how to claim their listings  Produce SkyNav™ 3D Convention District Tour  Shoot new photography to capture demographics, diversity and more immersive experiences through drone/aerial photography  Conduct a Visitor Volume Study to determine number of visitors and shifts in visitor volume  Increase ad spend towards social media programs, influencer marketing, 360-degree video, and images to create immersive brand experiences In response to Board questions, Ms. Hufham stated that generally a majority of the funds go straight to marketing. She estimated that the organization’s marketing budget this year was raised 14.5% and favorable variances are directed towards marketing first before other items. Over 70% of the budget on an annual basis goes directly towards marketing. On behalf of the Board, Chairman White thanked Mr. Montoya and Ms. Hufham for the update. HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE UPDATE Cape Fear Council of Governments Continuum of Care Administrator Cecelia Peers presented the Homeless Continuum of Care 2016-2017 Year in Review report:  Continuum of Care:  NC-506 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Designated Continuum of Care for Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover Counties  Members: 35 active member organizations who support the prevention and amelioration of homelessness  Advisory Board: City and County Representatives, Veterans Affairs (VA), UNCW, School McKinney Vento Liaisons, Cape Fear Community College, Veterans Council, Cape Fear Land Trust, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Trillium, Wilmington Housing Authority, Good Shepherd, and Salvation Army  Activities:  Carry out all Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act mandated activities  Coordinate care among service providers and with mainstream resources  Track data related to those entering our service system and outcomes for those who leave  Ensure that programs avoid duplication of services and utilize best practice models  Conduct annual needs assessment and align funding priorities with unmet needs  Outcomes:  70 people won SSI/SSDI benefits and Medicaid in FY17 through SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program  46% of people in transitional and permanent supportive housing saw an increase in their income during their stay. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 872  Reduced the number of days to re-house a homeless veteran from an average of 120 days to 92 days.  Size and Scope of Homelessness:  On any given day, 322 people are literally homeless in our region:  Based on Point In Time count (PIT) conducted the last Wednesday in January  87 unsheltered people, 44 chronically homeless  138 in shelters, 97 in transitional housing  From 10/1/15 to 9/30/16, 1,298 individuals were served by our homeless service providers:  228 people in families, 1,053 single adults, and 17 homeless youth  158 chronically homeless individuals  361 public housing placements, 187 temporarily housed, 45 to institutional settings  Programs and Capacity:  Crisis Response - Shelter and Transitional Housing:  89 family beds; 216 individual beds; 9 youth beds  Permanent Housing - Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing:  30 households can be rapidly re-housed  88 total permanent supportive housing beds:  26 vacancies in permanent supportive housing expected in 2017  83 VA Supportive Housing Vouchers:  12 veterans expected to be served in 2017 through voucher turnover  33 veterans expected to be served by VA Rapid Re-Housing (SSVF)  Continuum of Care (COC) Funding:  Local funding to support COC Administration:  $50,000 - City of Wilmington; $25,000 - New Hanover County; $5,000 - Brunswick County; and $5,000 - Pender County  Funding received through COC grant applications and HEARTH compliance:  Emergency Solutions Grant:  $204,637 for 1/1/17-12/30/17  Funds street outreach, shelter, rapid re-housing and HMIS database  HUD Continuum of Care Grant:  $668,205  Funds transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and planning  COC Initiatives and Planning:  Project Evaluation and Scoring: HUD technical assistance recently received  System wide analysis and planning  Housing First analysis and implementation  New Hanover County Community Justice coordination and decriminalizing homelessness  Coordinated Entry: system and policy development Regarding the HUD Continuum of Care Grant, Ms. Peers stated the grant is actually all renewal money for continuing projects and not additional funding. During the last grant competition, a few projects re-allocated money to take funds away from existing units. Two units were converted to permanent supportive housing to provide more permanent housing beds. Some funds were reallocated to add money to the funding slot specifically for people who experience domestic violence. State funding provided more funds for rapid rehousing, shelter operations, and street outreach. The street outreach project was started approximately two years ago and it’s been a struggle in terms of engaging the unsheltered population. Through an increase in State funds, staff was able to use the funds as leverage to keep matching funds through the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation and in partnership with MedNorth. Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation to Ms. Peers for the work she and her team are doing to address this issue. In response to Board questions, Ms. Peers explained that permanent supportive housing is income based housing and is usually about 30% of a person’s income. A person signs a lease and can live there as long as they adhere to the terms of the lease, but it also has support built in. Either there's a case manager connected to the program or the person is connected to services when they enter the housing unit. In this community, it is typically for people who have experienced longer term homelessness. For people in need, they can call the housing crisis hotline at 910- 444-4998. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is the central number to call to start the process to provide someone resource information. Regarding questions about 25% percent of the people being served by COC having substance abuse issues and who self-report it, Ms. Peers confirmed that she does think the number is higher particularly among the chronic homeless population. It is hard to estimate the number who don’t self-report and include domestic violence victims, but she would estimate the increase to be at least 10%. She and her office work as a collaborative with agencies to make sure people know what resources are available. For persons who are not domestic violence victims or substance abuse users, it is typically an employment issue that sees them in this situation. The office works closely with organizations such as Phoenix Hometown and the Career and Workforce Center (CWC). The CWC notifies organizations when there will be job fairs and homeless people have a priority in terms of funding and additional help from the office. Case managers at each shelter program work with the individual and an initial assessment is completed to figure out the needs and make referrals to community partners. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 873 In terms of measurement of progress, Ms. Peers explained that progress is measured in terms of increase of income and/or increase in non-cash benefits such as food stamps, health care vouchers, insurance, etc. The COC is required to report annually to the Federal and State governments and those measures are included in the reporting. Regarding if there is an employment component in the measurements, Ms. Peers explained that the measurement for COC is an increase in either earned income or non-earned income. Cape Fear Council of Governments Director Chris May stated that the Work Force Development (WFD) is part of the Work Force Innovations and Opportunities Act. They merged with the former Employment Security Commission and became the Division of Work Force. As a combined group, the COC and WFD process people in, set them up with a goal and a target to try to get them employed. Those who are underemployed are provided training and are tracked to make sure they are meeting those skills. There is also a veteran component and efforts have been made to reach out to the homeless veterans to try to get them involved. The ideal goal is that employment will do away with homelessness. It's not just finding them a home but it’s finding them a way to sustain themselves after they find that home. The whole concept of a COC is a broad net that tries to catch all of the agencies that work together whose specialty is specifically with homeless programs. Chairman White thanked Ms. Peers for the report and requested that in the next budget cycle information be provided to the Board about how many people COC has touched and referred to the agencies such as the Literacy Council and Phoenix Hometown or are assisted to get employment. The data will be helpful to the Board when making funding decisions during the budget cycle. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A JOINT APPLICATION WITH THE CITY OF WILMINGTON TO THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM FOR 2017 FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Chairman White announced that the JAG program provides states and local governments with funding necessary to support law enforcement, prosecution prevention and education programs, community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs. New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington are certified as disparate agencies; therefore, the 2017 JAG grant funding in the amount of $88,924 is eligible as a joint allocation of $44,462 to each agency. The New Hanover County portion of the funding would be used to purchase a compact robot for use by the Emergency Response Team, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team, and HazMat. There is no local match requirement. Chairman White opened the public hearing and reported two people had signed in to speak. Chief Deputy Ken Sarvis stated that Lieutenant Jason Augst was unable to attend the meeting and reported this is a grant the County enters into with the City of Wilmington (City). The County has partnered with the City over the last 10 years to be able to get these funds as a disparate agency. The Sheriff’s Office utilizes the funds received to benefit certain aspects. The New Hanover County portion of the funding would be used to purchase a RoboteX AVATAR III compact robot for use by the Emergency Response Team, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team, and HazMat response. This will make our officers safer because when approaching an individual that may be armed, the robot can be used to assess the situation. It can be used as an EOD to check the ordinance, so the EOD team does not have to approach until it's been fully evaluated. For HazMat spills in this area, the robot can be deployed to assess the spill scene. This unit will keep the community safe and our officers safe. Chairman White closed the public hearing and requested direction from the Board. Motion : Vice-Chairman Watkins MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to authorize the Sheriff's Office to submit a joint application with the City of Wilmington to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, and authorize the County Manager to execute the required County/City Memorandum of Understanding as required by the grant application. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. BREAK: Chairman White called for a break at 10:03 a.m. to 10:13 a.m. PRESENTATION OF THE 2012-2017 STRATEGIC PLAN REPORT County Manager Chris Coudriet stated that in 2011 the Board adopted a Strategic Plan and in 2012 directed that the organization manage and guide itself in a way that is consistent not only with the Strategic Plan but the values that lead toward the vision the Board established and never forget what the mission is. There are many things that this organization, through the Board’s leadership and hard work of 1,700 men and women, has made possible over the past five years that this report does not cover. After a video was shown introducing the County’s accomplishments, County Manager Coudriet presented the following information about the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan:  New Hanover County Enterprise Strategy Map:  Superior Public Health and Public Safety:  Reduce and prevent crime  Increase the safety and security of the community  Reduce health risks and diseases  Superior Education and Workforce:  st Prepare all students to be successful in a 21 century world  Enhance the self-sufficiency of individuals and families  Improve community literacy and workforce readiness skills  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development:  Promote a strong diverse economy and high quality job growth NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 874  Create and support a vibrant and culturally diverse community that encourages private investment  Support a planned environment that enhances community and preserves and protects our natural resources  Effective County Management (Good Governance):  Improve public awareness of New Hanover County responsibilities and services  Improve the customer experience and increase citizen satisfaction  Deliver value for taxpayer money  Five-Year Goals:  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development:  Add 6,000 new jobs. Progress: 14,338 new jobs  $1 Billion of private investment. Progress: $1.9 Billion in private investment  National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards received:  Environmental Management’s HazWagon Program and Community Battery Recycling Program  County-led Project to Maintain Carolina Beach Inlet  Superior Public Health and Public Safety:  Reduce juvenile recidivism by five percent. Progress: 16% reduction in juvenile recidivism  NACo Achievement Awards received:  Parks and Gardens’ Ogden Skatepark, also a NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) 2017 Excellence in Innovation Award winner  Criminal Justice Services’ Community Service and Restitution Program and Pretrial Release Services Program  New Hanover County Rescue’s Smoke Alarm and Fire Prevention Program for the deaf and hard of hearing  Social Services Intensive Reunification Foster Care Program and Family Support Program’s Fatherhood Initiative  Jail Diversion Program, in partnership with Leading Into New Communities (LINC), Inc.  Accreditations:  Sheriff’s Office received Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Activities (CALEA) in July 2015  Health Department received re-accreditation for the fourth time in 2016  Senior Resource Center received recertification as a Center of Excellence for the third time in 2017  Superior Education and Workforce:  Increase average weekly wage 10%. Progress: 13.8% increase in average weekly wage.  NACo Achievement Awards received:  Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outdoor Environmental Learning Centers  New Hanover County Public Library Story Stations  Effective County Management and Good Governance:  Awards:  Development Activity Webpage, NACo Achievement Award and “100 Brilliant Ideas at Work” Winner  State of the County: In Their Own Words, City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Communications Award  HazWagon: Go Green Promotion, 3CMA Communications Award  Board of Elections Official Resource Portal, Election Workers Best Practices Award from U.S. Elections Assistance Commission  Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award  Information Technology’s Agile Project Management, NACo Achievement Award and 2016 NCACC Excellence in Innovation Award  320 Chestnut building renovation, Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Coalition Award and Historic Wilmington Foundation Award  Cape Fear Museum Park, Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Coalition Award  Succession, Evolution, Retention, Viability, Engagement (S.E.R.V.E.) Employee Training Program, NACo Achievement Award  Building Safety and Planning’s task-oriented cross training program, NACo Achievement Award  American Heart Association “Fit-Friendly Employer” Award County Manager Coudriet stated that effective county management and the pursuit of being a model of good governance begins and ends with hiring people committed to public service. This organization cannot deliver the results the Board expects and the community demands if there are not professional men and women who understand the mission, are fully committed to the organizational values and understand the Board’s broad vison and what it wants this community to be able to do in the future. There has been significant investment in this organization through professional development, encouraging lean business principles, making sure that we're better, faster and leaner today than we were five years ago. This is an organization that is fully committed and passionate about public service. Based on U.S. Department of Labor data, New Hanover County turns over fewer people in the organization than most other NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 875 county public service organizations not just in the state but across the country. The turnover rate is approximately 10% to 12% while the national average is 15%.  Citizen Priorities:  2012:  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development: 31.5%  Superior Public Health and Public Safety: 30.8%  Superior Education and Workforce: 17.1%  2014:  Superior Public Health and Public Safety: 32.7%  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development: 21.8%  Superior Education and Workforce: 15.5%  2016:  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development: 32%  Superior Public Health and Public Safety: 29.6%  Superior Education and Workforce: 18.6% County Manager Coudriet stated that there is probably the need for an examination of the strategic objectives and vision identified by the Board in 2011 to determine if they are still the right ones. While a lot has been accomplished, there are still fronts and frontiers that have not be tapped into. As the Board thinks about where it wants to go in the future, as it has historically done, it may want to begin with what the community is sharing with it through statistically valid surveying.  Creating Value: Informing residents and transparency plus quality services and spending tax dollars wisely equals taxpayer value  Improving Customer Experience:  Ease of Doing Business: Getting questions answered easily  Effective Website: Clear and easily accessible information across all webpages  Positive Customer Impact: Polite and courteous interactions with staff  Online Services: Increasing number of services and transactions online  Staff Recommendations for the Board of Commissioners to:  Recommit to Strategic Management  Refresh Strategy Map  Set measures County Manager Coudriet concluded the presentation stating this information is approximately 10% of what this organization has been working on. Staff is available to discuss the details. Chairman White thanked County Manager Coudriet for the report and opened the floor to Board discussion. Commissioner Zapple stated that he hears daily from people who often approach the County with cynicism and/or approach him to say they will never get what they need. When he follows-up with a person who has made such a statement, he hears that the person who has contact with any of the staff, particularly in the top management, are always impressed with the extra mile taken, the follow-up contact, and information received. He thinks County Manager Coudriet is doing a wonderful job on that front and is delighted to see that as one of his priorities. He further stated that all of the County departments are terrific. Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation to County Manager Coudriet for the report and stated that it’s great to have a visioning document and path forward directing our government. The staff stays on top of whatever trends are coming our way. In regards to the opioid epidemic, something that has not been discussed in the past is the impact on the children coming into the Department of Social Services (DSS) as a result of a parent being taken into custody. It would be good for this County to look at trends across the country so the County can be ahead of the curve when a trend occurs locally. Based on the Tourism Development Authority report and this report, he thinks the County is in a great place. It starts with great management and a great management team and expressed appreciation to County Manager Coudriet for his efforts. He looks forward to seeing how this continues to evolve and make New Hanover County great. Chairman White thanked County Manager Coudriet for the report. He finds it helpful to have a strategic plan and would fully endorse and support, as he is sure all of the Commissioners would, to continue to focus on that and invited County Manager Coudriet to involve the Board whenever, and as soon and as often as he feels it is necessary to recalibrate. He further stated that he would like to add to the County’s legislative goals for next year, or at least initiate discussion, the redirection of some funds from seizure money. He was involved in a recent case where a judge redirected seizure money of $40,000 under the NC General Statutes to the school system. While the New Hanover County school system is going to be a beneficiary of those funds, it is his belief that due to the County’s investments, it is fully funded. It’s worth the discussion to see if there’s a way to make a strategic realignment of some of the funds seized to direct them to the epidemic that is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in terms of addiction. It will be a heavy lift for the school system, the District Attorney’s Association, the Sheriffs Association, etc. If there is a way to not to offend the sensibilities of law enforcement and school systems and allow them to get what they justifiably deserve, while serving this new and emerging need, that is something worth talking about. He thanked all the County employees for always being pleasant to do business with. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 876 Commissioner Kusek stated that one of the best things she did in March was to meet with each County department head. She wanted to be able to learn as much as she could about what each did, and she is very proud of everyone. She enjoyed meeting all the people who run this County and are sincerely dedicated to making the customer experience what it is. The Board couldn’t be more proud of everyone. County Manager Coudriet thanked the Commissioners for their comments. The County has an outstanding team of public employees. There are great department heads and employees and they all understand what the Board has asked of them to do. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointments to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee Chairman White reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the Business Community and Faith Community categories, with two applicants eligible for reappointment and eight applications available for consideration. Vice-Chairman Watkins moved to reappoint Jeffrey Hovis in the Business Community category and Brenda Swartz in the Faith Community category. Without objection, the Board reappointed Jeffrey Hovis in the Business Community category and Brenda Swartz in the Faith Community category to serve three-year terms on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee with the terms to expire on September 30, 2020. Appointments to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chairman White reported that up to five vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council with one applicant eligible for reappointment and one application available for consideration. Vice-Chairman Watkins moved to reappoint Cathy Guidry and appoint Eric Lytle in the At-Large category. Without objection, the Board reappointed Cathy Guidry and appointed Eric Lytle in the At-Large category to serve two-year terms on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council with the terms to expire on September 30, 2019. Appointments to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Chairman White reported that four vacancies exist on the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees with two applicants eligible for reappointment and eleven applications available for consideration. Commissioner Kusek nominated Brian C. Eckel and Howard O. Rockness for reappointment and James G. Brumit and Robert T. McGhee for appointment. Commissioner Barfield nominated Cedric A. Dickerson. Commissioner Zapple nominated Lauren Henderson. With no other nominations, Chairman White called for a vote on the nominations in order of being received. Vote Results: The Commissioners voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Brian C. Eckel and Howard O. Rockness to serve three-year terms on the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees with the terms to expire September 30, 2020. The Commissioners, with a majority vote, appointed James G. Brumit and Robert T. McGhee to serve three-year terms on the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees with the terms to expire September 30, 2020. Chairman White, Vice-Chairman Watkins, and Commissioner Kusek voted in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman White announced that one person had signed up to speak under public comment and invited Jack Dunn to the podium. Jack Dunn, a resident of South Live Oak Parkway, stated that in regards to Project Grace he cannot understand why the County is thinking about moving the museum when there is an opiate problem. He thinks any discretionary spending needs a return on investment comparison with increased resources for law enforcement. He would ask for answers to: How many heroin arrests there were in 2016 and how are we doing in 2017?; How much have they increased?; What is the initial cost of each arrest?; Is there anything we don’t know of other than the law enforcement personnel, the District Attorney and the cost of temporary imprisonment?; What percent of these people arrested are repeat offenders?; What is the cost of an overdose from the time the call comes into 911 until discharge from the hospital?; How many of these people are repeat offenders?; How many choose treatment after discharge?; What is the treatment cost?; What is the likelihood of success and who pays for it?; and What is the cost in lost sales tax revenue? He has been told that 90% of every dollar dealers spend to purchase product goes back to New Jersey. He hopes he can contact some of the Commissioners individually to discuss this and is willing to help anyway he can. He believes this is more of a crisis than moving a museum, which he is sure is a good idea as well. He feels there is a sense of urgency about the opioid issue that does not exist anywhere else. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS County Manager Coudriet reminded the Board that there are two community meetings, one tonight at the library downtown and one tomorrow night at the Cape Fear Museum, to talk about Project Grace. The meetings are NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 877 organized to discuss what it is and what it isn’t. The meetings will start at 6:00 p.m. with the first fifteen minutes allotted for attendees to review each option in storyboard context and ask questions of staff. At 6:15 p.m., for about twenty minutes, staff will give a detailed presentation. Staff will also answer frequently asked questions that have been posed to the Board and staff. He invited any Commissioner attending the session to address the group. At the end, the attendees will be asked to go back to the storyboards, and ask questions of staff based upon what they heard and learned during the presentation. The sessions will end precisely at 7:30 p.m. In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated that public input will occur when first arriving and engaged in the storyboards and then again after the presentation. There will be flip sheets where people can submit ideas and see the questions and concepts that are there. Efforts are being made to create a transparent environment where there can be direct engagement, sharing ideas, and answering questions. If staff does not have an answer to a question, it will be acknowledged and staff will find an answer or develop one as quickly as possible. Vice-Chairman Watkins noted the passing of Eric Azor. He served the Cape Fear Fair and Expo diligently for over twenty-five years, an integral part of the golf community and a servant of this community. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman White adjourned the meeting at 11:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell 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 online at www.nhcgov.com.