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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-16 Regular MeetingNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 PAGE 896 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, October 16, 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. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Wilma Hansley, Pastor, St. John A.M.E. Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Barfield 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 Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice - Chairman Watkins, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes — Governing Body The Commissioners approved the minutes of the Agenda Review Meeting of September 28, 2017 and Regular Meeting of October 2, 2017. Adoption of 2018 Schedule of Agenda Review and Regular Meetings of the Board of Commissioners — Governing Body The Commissioners adopted the 2018 Schedule of Agenda Review and Regular Meetings of the Board of Commissioners. A copy of the schedule is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 39.1. Approval of Donations for Accession into the Museum's Permanent Collection — Cape Fear Museum The Commissioners approved a list of eight objects to be accessioned into the Cape Fear Museum's permanent collection. The objects were approved by the Museum Advisory Board at its meeting on September 20, 2017 and a list of the items is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum. Approval of Funding Opportunity with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity — Planning and Land Use The Commissioners approved the County entering into a partnership with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity in the form of funding for the installation of water and sewer lines at a cost of $272,463 and the associated budget amendment. The City of Wilmington will commit $60,000 to this project and the County will agree to fund the remaining $212,463. The funding opportunity is based on the following: • Cape Fear Habitat is a 501(c)(3) organization; • The annual income of the homeowners will be between 40% and 80% of the area's median income ($27,280 - $54,560); • There will be one or more income earners per household; • These houses will have an average tax value of $125,000, which will generate approximately $21,000 in tax revenues once the project is complete; • This project will help to address the shortage of housing in this price range; • This project will help the County accomplish two strategic objectives from the Strategic Plan: Intelligent Growth and Economic Development and Productive Strategic Partnerships; and • County funding will be conditional on the following: • The County's investment will be secured by an agreement that will be recorded with the Register of Deeds. • Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity commits to investing an amount equivalent to the County's investment in other New Hanover County projects. Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity (CFHFH) plans to construct 27 homes along Daniel Boone Trail, on 11.13 acres in the 6300 block of Gordon Road. CFHFH closed on the property, which is zoned R -15, on April 12, 2017. As part of this project, main water and sewer lines will be extended to the property and road improvements will be made to Daniel Boone Trail, which is currently a dirt road without adequate turnaround space for emergency vehicles. This project will build a paved public road to NC Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) standards and include a stub road off of Daniel Boone Trail to allow for future connectivity to undeveloped land east of the project. CFHFH plans to petition NCDOT to take over the road. There are currently 14 existing residences along Daniel Boone Trail that will be required to connect to sewer and possibly water. A copy of Budget Amendment 18 -018 is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 39.2. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 PAGE 897 Approval of August 2017 Tax Collection Reports — Tax Department The Commissioners accepted the Tax Collection Reports of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Fire District, and New Hanover County Debt Service as of August 2017. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 39.3. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF 2017 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AWARD TO NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS AND GARDENS Matt Gunnett, Membership Services Coordinator with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and Melissa Kerley, Membership Development Officer with the Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) presented the 2017 Local Government Federal Credit Union Excellence in Innovation Award to the New Hanover County Parks and Gardens for the development and implementation of the Ogden Skatepark. This awards program recognizes county employees who develop successful programs that help counties improve services to citizens. Cash awards of $1,000 each are given to two or more programs in each of the four categories - general government, health and human services, public information/ participation, and intergovernmental collaboration. Submissions were reviewed and evaluated by an awards committee comprised of county commissioners, county managers, county staff, management fellows, and university faculty. The review committee looked for improvements that reflect sustainable business practices or productive and creative solutions to problems, as well as enhancements that are easily transferable to other jurisdictions. Mr. Gunnett stated that the Ogden Skatepark project stood out in the general government category by providing a roadmap for future funding of park improvements and enhancements. The project filled a facilities gap by being constructed in a park within walking or biking distance of kids' homes. The project gives kids easy access to a skatepark not available before, and also provides a safe and secure place for skaters to practice their sport as opposed to empty lots and backyard ramps. It also engaged a previously disenfranchised and politically uninvolved segment of the population in the county government process, ensuring they will be involved in the future. The project enhances economic development activity in New Hanover County by adding a skating destination to the area that brings people from all over the state and country. Mr. Gunnett recognized Parks and Gardens Director Tara Duckworth, Parks and Gardens Assistant Director Andy Johnson, Parks and Gardens Director of Donor Relations Janine Powell, Parks and Gardens Superintendent Don Hoffsher, Parks and Gardens Administrative Support Coordinator Tanya Gurganious, and Communications and Outreach Coordinator Brett Cottrell for their involvement in the project. Chairman White thanked Mr. Gunnett and Ms. Kerley for attending and presenting the award and the Commissioners expressed appreciation to the Parks and Gardens team for their work on the project. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employee receiving a retirement award: Craig Springer, Sheriff s Office, retiring with 30 years of service Chairman White presented a retirement award to Mr. Springer and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked him for his years of dedicated service. County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Eliza M. Baldwin, IT Gina D. Golden, Social Services James W. Roten, Community Justice Services Brenda G. Tedder, Social Services Kenneth E. Vafier, Planning and Land Use Ten Years: Wendy R. Davis, Social Services Anthony E. Smith, Property Management Gwendolyn L. Williams, Social Services Fifteen Years: Melissa A. Montroy, Social Services Twenty Years: Mike T. Arkinson, IT 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 stand and be introduced: Tra Adams, Social Services Mackenzie Berger, Sheriffs Office Tiffany Griffin, Community Justice Services Dahria Kianpour, Governing Body Sterling Powell, Fire Services The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 PAGE 898 ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 1 — 3, 2017 AS NEW HANOVER COUNTY FIRE /RESCUE "FILL THE BOOT DAYS' Chairman White announced that The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) requests that November 1 -3, 2017 be recognized as New Hanover County Fire /Rescue "Fill the Boot Days" in New Hanover County. Chairman White read the proclamation into the record and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Vice - Chairman Watkins MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to adopt a proclamation designating November 1 -3, 2017 be recognized as New Hanover County Fire /Rescue "Fill the Boot Days." Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. New Hanover County Fire Chief Donnie Hall stated that this is the tenth year that New Hanover County Fire /Rescue has been involved with the MDA and the "Fill the Boot" campaign. The department has helped raise over $300,000 for the MDA program during that time. He thanked Captain Ben Bobzien for serving as the department's MDA coordinator and Chief Hall introduced Eastern Carolinas MDA Associate Executive Director Liz Shirley. Ms. Shirley expressed appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to present the proclamation request. Since the 1950s, filling the boot for MDA has been a national tradition. The campaign provides an opportunity to help people understand muscular dystrophy and the hope that eventually a cure can be found. Last year, New Hanover County Fire /Rescue raised $47,000 and has raised the most funds over the past two years in North Carolina. She expressed appreciation to the department for their assistance in making a difference in trying to find a cure. Vice - Chairman Watkins congratulated Chief Hall and his team on the New Hanover County Fire Services twentieth anniversary. Commissioner Zapple commented on participating in the Meals on Wheels program with the Fire Services team. October is Fire Safety Month. Each year, Fire Services delivers meals to the elderly who are homebound and check their smoke detectors. Smoke detectors only last ten years and then need to be replaced. He urged everyone to check their smoke detectors and replace them if they are over ten years old. County Manager Coudriet stated that through an investment of $2,500, the department now has a high rise vehicle to assist in getting people to safety who are isolated due to flooding situations. This investment by the department has amplified the County's safety and security in untold ways. Chairman White expressed his appreciation to Chief Hall and the Fire Services team for their service to the community. He commented on a recent case he handled where the thoroughness of the fire report provided to him by Chief Hall made a difference for his client. While it didn't save a life, the report did make a difference for his client in that he received payment for the destroyed crops. He reiterated his appreciation for the Fire Services' commitment to this County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 39.4. AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL UPDATE Parks and Gardens Director Tara Duckworth stated that Teddy Davis, III, President of the Airlie Gardens Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, was unable to attend the meeting and presented the annual update for the Airlie Gardens Foundation, Inc. highlighting the following information: • Foundation Mission: • Eleven- member board serves in an advisory capacity to gardens staff and County Commissioners • Maintain an endowment • Solicit donations and sponsorships • Support funding of capital improvements at Airlie Gardens FY 2016 -17 Financial Information: • Revenues of $916,019 with operational expenses of $543,559 • Foundation capital project investment $151,495 • Active membership totals reached 2,209 • Membership revenues at $195,402 (up 12 %) • Gate revenues at $218,747 (up 15 %) • Endowment balance approximately $3.7 million Garden Statistics: • More than 123,000 visitors each year with visitors from all 50 states and more than 56 countries: • Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB) estimates that each visitor spends $50 per day on non- hotel expenditures • Visitation is up 15% this year • Hosted numerous weddings and special events • Increased Environmental Education programming • Welcomed 6,317 County residents during County Free Day this year (up almost 15 %) • One of the premier tourist attractions in the County; consistently rated in the top three tourist attractions according to Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Encore Magazine, and Star News • 42 "Things to Do" on TripAdvisor and a Certificate of Excellence Award Winner • Enchanted Airlie voted a "Top 20 Event" by the Southeastern Tourism Society NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 • Garden Enhancements: • Stormwater Master Plan • Pervious pavement added to the parking lot • Culvert repair • Phase II Pollinator Garden • Educator in the Garden programs every Thursday • Butterfly release every Tuesday during summer months • Family Fun Night doubled in revenue this year • Hops and Talks Events added • Solar Eclipse Viewing Party in partnership with Cape Fear Museum • Airlie's Fifth Summer Art Exhibit — Imagine by artist Matthew Leavell: BOOK 33 PAGE 899 Two pieces from the exhibit will become part of the Butterfly House thanks to a generous donor In response to Board questions, Ms. Duckworth confirmed that pond enhancements are being made at Airlie Gardens to improve the Stormwater runoff. She also reported that Alyssa Taylor has been named the new Environmental Education Program Coordinator and came to the organization from Fort Fisher. On behalf of the Board, Chairman White thanked Ms. Duckworth for the update. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chairman Bruce Shell presented the annual update highlighting the following information: 10 Year Master Plan — Reoccurring Themes: • Maintain and improve existing facilities • Trails and connectivity • Increase public access to waterfront • Address deferred maintenance • Balance between active and passive recreation • Increase recreational opportunities: indoor and outdoor • Upgrade or add new amenities Park Improvements: • Hugh MacRae Park: Inclusive playground and splashpad through $750,000 Trillium grant Basketball courts • Lighting for the ball field • Ogden Park: • Skatepark • Basketball courts • Walking trail and outdoor gym • Lights at the dog park Field Use: • The average County athletic field, particularly rectangular fields, sees over 1,200 hours of play each year. • Expected Field Condition Based on Hours of Field Use per Year information: • Sustained good field conditions 200 hours or less • Good field conditions with some thinning of the turf and localized wear areas 400 to 600 hours Fair field conditions, expect significant thinning and wear 800 to 1,000 hours Significant turf loss, field surface damage More than 1,000 hours Mr. Shell concluded the presentation stating there is a tremendous amount of growth expected in the future for the County. The State criteria for turf management is that damage can be expected for a field that has more than a 1,000 hours of use. The turf damage seen on the County's fields is the downside of the County's success story. There is not a perfect solution for the issue, but it is being managed and the County continues to move in a positive direction for its parks and gardens. He expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for their commitment to serve this community and for the opportunity to present the update. In response to Board questions, Mr. Shell stated that he was not prepared to discuss the use of artificial turf as a long -term solution. However, it's an option that does need to be explored along with any other potential solutions. On behalf of the Board, Chairman White thanked Mr. Shell for the presentation. PARKS CONSERVANCY OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL UPDATE Eric Blaesing, Chairman of Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors, presented the annual update highlighting the following: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 BOOK 33 PAGE 900 • The Parks and Gardens Department is charged with the responsibility of efficiently maintaining more than 25 parks and athletic facilities. It manages over 2,900 acres of green space, sporting areas, boat ramps, fishing areas, public spaces, walking trails and non -park properties. • The mission of the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. is to care for and improve New Hanover County's parks. Through these improvements, not only is the County's beauty enhanced, but the health, community, and economic strength of New Hanover County is also improved. • Accomplishments: • Celebrated the grand opening of the Ogden Skatepark • Skatepark project won National Association of County Commissioners (NACo), NCACC, and LGFCU awards • Adopted Harris Road through the NCDOT Adopt -a- Highway program • Trash Mobs cleaned up trash at six sites in the County ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship • Fundraising: • Two Food Truck Rodeos • Run `n Roll for Ray: Partnership with The Ray Underhill Foundation to benefit the Ogden Skatepark • Jersey Mike's grand opening fundraiser • Plant an Azalea: • Collaborative effort with the Cape Fear Garden Club • Purchase a card for $15 and fund an azalea being planted in a County park • Volunteers and Beautification: • Two beautification events a year: • Plant an Azalea Week • Realtor Action Day — hosted more than 400 local realtors beautifying County parks • Ongoing volunteer opportunity every Wednesday at Hugh MacRae Park What's Next: • Working with staff to choose projects that align with the Parks Master Plan • Coastal Challenge Course at Northern Regional Park • Parks Preserves Program • Food Truck Rodeos twice a year • Beautification events • Parks Stars volunteers Mr. Blaesing expressed appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to present the update. Commissioner Kusek commented on how much she enjoyed being a part of the Plant an Azalea event this year. She expressed appreciation for the hard work of the Parks and Gardens Department and the volunteers who help make this community a beautiful place to be. Commissioner Zapple commented on how much he enjoyed participating in the Parks Conservancy Trash Mob events. The events are open to anyone who wants to participate. He encouraged people to find out when the next event will take place and get involved in helping to keep area roads clear of trash. In regards to the Ogden Skatepark, he expressed appreciation to Tony Hawk, the community and the work of the Parks and Gardens Department for bringing the project to fruition. The skatepark provides a unique facility for our community and has qualified for national and international competitions. This would not have been possible without the public and private support of the project. Chairman White thanked Mr. Blaesing for the update. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointments to the New Hanover County Jury Commission Chairman White reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Jury Commission with one applicant eligible for reappointment and one application available for consideration. Motion: Vice - Chairman Watkins MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek to reappoint Charles C. Blanton to serve a two -year term on the New Hanover County Jury Commission with the term to expire on October 31, 2019. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 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 four applications available for consideration. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek to appoint John Dismukes in the Business category and Clifford D. Barnett, Sr. in the Faith category to serve two -year terms on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council with the terms to expire on September 30, 2019. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS Chairman White announced that no one had signed up to speak under public comment. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 16, 2017 BOOK 33 PAGE 901 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman White adjourned the meeting at 9:56 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.