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2018-12-17 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 252 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, December 17, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Andre’ Mallette Training Rooms at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairwoman Julia Olson-Boseman; Commissioner Patricia Kusek; Commissioner Woody White; 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 Reverend Cheryl M. Walker, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington, provided the invocation and Commissioner Zapple led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Barfield requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion: Commissioner White MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Zapple requested additional information on Consent Agenda Item 4: Adoption of Budget Amendments, specifically budget amendment 19-023 for the Recovery Coordination Office relating to the funding plans for the office. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher stated that this is not coming out of additional fund balance. Hurricane funds are being moved to the general government function because that is where the office will be accounted for. Moving forward any needed funds for items such as supplies, salaries, etc will be included in the fiscal year 2020 budget. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield asked for a vote on 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 November 29, 2018 and the Regular Meeting of December 3, 2018. Approval of Second Reading to Award a Solid Waste Franchise to Carolina Cans, LLC – County Attorney The Commissioners, pursuant to New Hanover County Code Section 44.55, approved the second reading to award a solid waste franchise to Carolina Cans, LLC. The initial franchise period will run for seven years. A copy of the franchise agreement is available for review in the Legal Department. Adoption of Public Officials Bond Resolution – County Attorney The Commissioners, pursuant to General Statute 58-72-20, adopted a resolution approving the Surety Bond for the Chief Financial Officer, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, and Tax Collector. The designation of approval is incorporated within the respective bond in its entirety. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 20.1. Adoption of Budget Amendments – Budget The Commissioners approved the following budget amendments which amend the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019:  Sheriff's Office 19-024, 19-026, 19-027, 19-030, 19-031, 19-032, 19-033, 19-034  Emergency Management 19-025  Library 19-028  Department of Social Services 19-035, 19-036  Recovery Coordination Office 19-023 The general fund budget will be increased by $640,698 with these budget amendments with no change to appropriated fund balance. Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 20.2. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 253 REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS INTRODUCTION OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE REGIONAL DIRECTOR Marcia Kelly stated that she is the Coastal Southeast Regional Director for the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI). Ms. Kelly provided the following information regarding the DOI and how the citizens of New Hanover County could benefit:  North Carolina Department of Insurance: Mike Causey, Commissioner  Seven Regional Director Territories:  April Riddle 828-337-2800 april.riddle@ncdoi.gov  April Taylor 919-896-0023 april.taylor@ncdoi.gov  Rosemary Parker 919-368-0009 rosemary.parker@ncdoi.gov  Mendy Greenwood 919-218-3626 mendy.greenwood@ncdoi.gov  Jarrod Lowery 919-398-4912 jarrod.lowery@ncdoi.gov  Brent Heath 919-703-5661 brent.heath@ncdoi.gov  Marcia Kelly 919-219-2998 marcia.kelly@ncdoi.gov  Hygan Kapikian, Director of Regional Affairs  Charlotte Office Contact Information: Cell: 919-215-0796; Office: 980-523-9972  hygan.kapikian@ncdoi.gov  Multiple Divisions: Consumer Services, Agent Services, Life and Health, Property and Casualty, Smart NC, Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), Engineering Codes, Fire and Rescue, Risk Management, Actuarial Services, Bail Bond Regulatory, Criminal Investigations  What does DOI do:  Regulate and field complaints about insurance companies and agents, help people better understand insurance  Help seniors understand Medicare  Investigate insurance fraud  Oversee motor clubs and collection agencies  Locate lost life insurance policies  Train fire inspectors and conduct fire station inspections  Work with building inspectors and interpret building codes  Regulate manufactured housing like modular and mobile homes  Regulate bail bonds agencies, fireworks displays, homeowners’ associations, and ATM machines  Distribute financial grants to fire stations  Commissioner Causey’s Goals:  Work to keep insurance rates low; provide exceptional customer service; and protect consumers  Some issues that are being addressed or reviewed:  Increasing repair costs as a result of new technology  Speak directly to the public about the cost of distracted driving:  Since 2008 there has been about a ten percent increase in distracted diving accidents and fatalities (approximately 3,500 fatalities)  Address the cost of natural disasters:  There are pressures to increase homeowners’ insurance. The rate bureau requested an 18.9% increase on homeowners’ insurance. Commissioner Causey negotiated the rate increase request down to an average of 4.9%.  The new “Shared Economy”: Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, VRBO  Insurance fraud:  Adds up to 20 cents on the dollar to annual insurance premiums. It costs the American consumer about $80 billion a year.  15 investigators were added to the Criminal Investigation Division to fight fraud as more arrests lead to lower insurance rates  Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is under the DOI and the commissioner is the state fire marshal:  DOI trains its personnel and fire station inspectors. Many communities are seeing lower rates due to the inspections  Prior to Commissioner Causey taking office there were several volunteer fire departments that had not been inspected in over 20 years. Number of inspectors were increased to address this issue  In 2017, DOI saved North Carolina consumers more than $1.5 million by assisting them with health insurance:  Medical appeals, complaints, external reviews  In 2017, SHIIP saved North Carolina senior and disabled consumers more than $60 million in health care costs by counseling them on decisions they make regarding Medicare  In 2017, Consumer Services Division helped save North Carolina consumers more than $11 million  DOI can help find a lost life insurance policy  Ready, Respond, Recover: The disaster response and readiness plan of DOI NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 254  Disaster Response Plan:  DOI has a new Disaster Response Plan that allows for an immediate response to disasters. For the first time in the history of DOI, this effort is combined with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).  The plan is divided into three fundamental areas: Ready, Respond, Recover  Disaster Response Plan – Ready: Helping NC citizens to be better prepared for disasters through various methods:  State Fair and festivals  Disaster readiness presentations throughout the year to church groups, civic groups, town halls, neighborhood associations, senior centers  Outreach brochures and other materials  Disaster Response Plan – Respond: Once DOI knows a storm is imminent, how does it respond:  As Hurricane Florence approached the North Carolina coast, Commissioner Causey and the DOI were already hard at work in the “respond” phase of the DOI Disaster Plan  How DOI responded:  Combined DOI and OSFM daily briefings and updates that included Raleigh staff as well as regional and field-based personnel via skype  Public service announcements on social media and television  More ways that DOI responded to Hurricane Florence:  The Department’s Criminal Investigation Division staff was mobilized to provide security in Emergency Shelters  Criminal Investigation Division and OSFM assisted local law enforcement and first responders  Phones were rolled over to National Association of Insurance Counsellors for business continuity  Consumer Service Division staff were equipped with laptops and soft phones so they could work remotely and continue assisting consumers  Disaster Response Plan - Recover: The immediate danger has passed, but the clean-up and rebuilding has just begun:  Bulletins were sent to insurance companies reminding them to prohibit cancellations  Activation of the Disaster Mediation Program  Insurance Camps and Victim Assistance Centers (VAC) were set up:  Insurance camps are needed when a major widespread disaster strikes. It allows Insurance companies to set up their RVs in one location  DOI notifies the public through every source available (i.e. TV, social media, etc) where and when the insurance camp will be located  Public can come to the insurance camp and speak face- to- face with a representative from their carrier  DOI coordinates this process and has staff on site to help direct individuals and answer questions  Victim Assistance Centers (VAC):  VACs are often in a location where multiple local and state agencies as well as service and charitable groups are available to assist disaster victims  DOI notifies the public through every source available (i.e. TV, social media, etc) where and when DOI staff will be available at a VAC  Public can come to the VAC and speak face-to-face with an DOI representative about their insurance policy, questions about coverage and assistance with claims  DOI works alongside county/municipal agencies as well as charitable agencies such as the Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse to aid victims whenever possible.  Citizens can contact the DOI via www.ncdoi.com, www.nchurriclaims.com, or 1-855-408-1212 Chairman Barfield thanked Ms. Kelly for the presentation and expressed appreciation for the work she does on behalf of this region and the work Commissioner Causey does on behalf of the state. In response to Board questions, Ms. Kelly stated that the DOI does inspections of all the fire stations, not just the volunteer fire stations. Primarily, the volunteer fire stations receive grant funds. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employees receiving a retirement award: Karen Batton, Parks and Gardens, retiring with twenty-seven years of service Samuel Burgess, Planning and Land Use, retiring with thirty-four years of service David Ciamillo, Sheriff’s Office, retiring with thirty years of service Wanda Marino, Social Services, retiring with nineteen years of service Travis Robinson, Sheriff’s Office, retiring with twenty-eight years of service Chairman Barfield presented retirement awards to the retirees and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked them for their years of dedicated service. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 255 County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five-Years: Tammy Flynn, Social Services Ten Years: Jonathan Barfield, Governing Body Fifteen Years: Gloria Batts, Property Management Thelma Boston, Property Management Christopher Clayton, Property Management Amanda Cullen, Health Teresa Huffman, Community Justice Services Twenty Years: Dominic Segers, Sheriff’s Office Twenty-Five Years: Carol Honeycutt, Tax Thirty Years: Susan Wright, Health Chairman Barfield 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: Christian Capra, Health Amber Garner, Social Services Barry Graham, Finance Jamaica Lemons, Tax Whitney Parish, Health Sarah Seidel, Social Services Kathleen Steger, Social Services Terri Wilkes, Health The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL ANNUAL UPDATE J.H. Corpening, II, Chief District Court Judge and New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Chairman, presented the annual update highlighting the following information:  Overview:  Strategy:  Provide dispositional alternatives for adjudicated youth  Develop Community-focused, research based approaches  Treat the needs of at-risk juveniles  Provide funding for treatment, counseling or rehabilitation  Currently fund four programs  Teen/Youth Court:  July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018: 98 youth served  Ten Teen Court Sessions (youth volunteers):  89 successful completions and 86% from prior year remain successful  Most referrals come directly from School Resource Officers  Managed by Vantage Point:  Restorative justice approach; take responsibility; held accountable by peers; and return to good standing in community  Youth Empowerment Services:  Chris Preston, Manager  Psychological Assessment and Counseling Program:  Served 98 youth and families in 2017/2018  Provides individualized and timely behavioral health assessments  Designed to reduce targeted delinquent behaviors; improve family functioning; and to reduce recidivism  Community Service and Restitution Program:  Served 226 youth in 2017/2018  Court ordered or court diverted obligation  Provides a safe and structured environment; encourages positive civic involvement; utilizes a service learning model; includes basic job skill development; and includes time management skills  Alternative to Commitment Services:  Housed within Coastal Horizons  Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS):  Lisa Burris is IFPS Supervisor  Short term, crisis-intervention program  Provided primarily in home or community  Designed to prevent out of home placement and to support reentry as well NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 256  Target population:  Youth 10-17  Level III reentry youth (highest level of risk youth) or At-Risk Level II or III youth  Services are for ten hours per week for four to six weeks  Fosters positive social connections  Enhances social-emotional wellness  Provides concrete supports in time of need (i.e. money):  Flex funds - $300 per family  Promotes resiliency for parents and siblings  Increases parents’ knowledge of parenting and teen development  Served 14 youth and their families in 2017/2018  Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP):  Erin Ditta is program manager  Housed within Coastal Horizons  Evidence based program for parents or caregivers of youth ages 12-17  Provides seven parent sessions, one and a half hours each, and a four-hour family day on challenge course  No cost to family  Transportation assistance available  Focuses on understanding child behavior, positive listening, exploring alternative parenting, and expressing ideas and feelings  Intentionally addressing youth access to drugs:  Proper use, proper disposal, secure storage in homes, provides medication lock boxes and other resources to parents to reduce access in homes  Functional Family Therapy:  Argelia Moya is Clinical Site Lead  Sponsored by AMIkids North Carolina Family Services  Serves youth on probation at Level I, Level II, or post-release supervision (higher risk)  Serves 89 counties in North Carolina  83% favorable discharge rate has been seen for the last five years  13 children served here (one of highest) in 2017/2018  One referral can save over $100,000 by a family learning to manage crisis, instead of using emergency services, hospitalization, detention, Medicaid services, etc.  Enables reduction in recidivism by creating sustainable change in the family In response to Board questions, Judge Corpening stated when grandparents are the primary caregivers for older or younger children, they can participate in the STEP program. Grandparents step up in this community, there is also a grandparents support group, and they can participate in parenting programs with the youth. The STEP program provides lockboxes for proper storage of medicines but he does not believe the disposable pouches are provided. The staff also provides education on the safe storage and disposal of medicines. In response to Board questions about the proposed new treatment center having beds for men but none for women, Judge Corpening stated Trillium had the funds to build a 200-bed facility. The health leadership council worked with Trillium to provide beds for men, women, and also adolescents and the funds were on hand in the general fund to build the facility. The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) took away all of the funds. Efforts were then made to see what could be done in the short-term for a wet-drop treatment facility that did not require going to detox first. He feels there was a compromise made and there was open discussion about the need for a treatment facility for women and also for adolescents. This is a first step, not an end game. Judge Corpening further stated he plans to be at the upcoming Wilmington City Council meetings to support the facility. Commissioner White stated that at the time, the proposed 200-bed facility was all men and he recalls asking Trillium about 18 months ago what the plans were for women and adolescents. It is accurate that the funds being taken away caused the facility to go from 200 beds to 100 beds, but it was never Trillium’s intention to have beds for women and children. It was a deficiency from the outset, but the compromise Judge Corpening refers to is exactly what it was. As important as it is to start this, there needs to be a continued focus on women and adolescents. Currently, the care given to adolescents is very good care, it is up to the standard of care in legal terms, but it's disgraceful there is not an adolescent facility. He expressed appreciation to Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman for raising the question. Commissioner White further stated the facility needs to be approved and it is critical to convince the City of Wilmington and the surrounding neighbors of the need in the community. It is also important to continue to apply the pressure and focus on ensuring funding for women and children. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman described a recent encounter she and her family had with a lady who was crying outside a store they stopped at and it is someone Judge Corpening would know. The lady explained her family situation and how she has substance abuse problems but has been unable to find help for herself and there is nowhere for her to go. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated that she knows with Judge Corpening’s help this will be figured out. She was lucky to be able to get treatment six years ago and needs to help other women to make sure they have the same opportunity. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 257 Judge Corpening stated that he supports the plan for the 100 bed facility and will be present to support the County in this matter. It will make this community safe and will provide a needed service. Commissioner Zapple stated he supports the treatment center and its location. He will be at the City Council meetings along with the other Commissioners and Judge Corpening to support it. Absent from this discussion is the County’s support of the TIDES program, which is also important. The program treats pregnant women with substance abuse issues and this is first step forward for the County. Judge Corpening stated that he and his team were able to place a young woman in the TIDES program last week. It is a wonderful resource and he is thrilled the County saw the need and helped fund it. It is also a proven program that is working in other communities. Chairman Barfield thanked Judge Corpening for the presentation and for all he does for this community. FOREIGN TRADE PROMOTION COUNCIL (FTPC) PRESENTATION Foreign Trade Promotion Council Executive Director Dr. John G. Hayes provided an update regarding the total economic domestic and global perspective and the value the FTPC brings to the county, their success stories and what they offer New Hanover County and the region. The FTPC was started here by the Board several years ago when it asked for guidance and direction in how to promote trade in the County and in the region. Since that time the FTPC has been very active in the community and across the state in looking at economic development. The FTPC vision is to grow North Carolina businesses globally. One focus area is the service industry. Some service industry board members are, but not limited to, the North Carolina Ports, Wilmington International Airport, United Parcel Service (UPS), Hanes Corporation, Caterpillar, J.P. Morgan Bank, North Carolina Chamber at the state level, Brooks Pierce law firm, Nexsen Pruet law firm, and New Hanover County. Approximately a quarter of a million people in this state are employed in global trade via foreign countries. Over 90,000 of those jobs are just from France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom companies. Dr. Hayes explained one of the tasks that launched the FTPC was how to get the Wilmington International Airport and its facilities to be a magnet site in a foreign trade zone. This region is the only trade zone that is managed, administered, and marketed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). NCDOT published a brochure containing data about this trade zone. Nothing more is being done to promote and market this particular trade zone. Efforts have been made to work with the state to try to promote the airport for many years. Dr. Hayes has been unsuccessful in having the state recognize it has to help. The market has to be promoted and effort has to be made to educate companies about the opportunities here. The FTPC has been working on this effort through various events about how to create economic growth opportunities. In a recent U.S. Trade Representative’s Office report on North Carolina, it lists areas such as Charlotte, Greensboro, and Virginia Beach, as benefitting from trade, but does not list this area. This region is a conduit for trade through the airport and the port and is not developing enough new businesses to benefit from the growth. The state has been stagnant the last ten years in growth and ranks about 16th in the U.S. This region is dependent upon global trade and the issues that are being dealt with nationally. There is a need to educate, inform, and keep companies informed of what needs to be done to help them be successful. Dr. Hayes asked the County to engage with the FTPC and himself. He has run into road blocks with state legislators in being able to move forward with organizing the state to work around a central mission for jobs and growth. The FTPC needs the political support of this County and other resources it can afford to give the FTPC to be able to be successful. Chairman Barfield thanked Dr. Hayes for his presentation. PRESENTATION OF THE 2017-2018 WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT Brad Rosov with Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc., stated that the monitoring of seven tidal creeks, a total of 19 sampling sites, within New Hanover County on a monthly basis has been done since November 2007. The creeks included in this study are Pages and Futch Creeks, which drain into the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Lords, Motts, Barnards, Smith, and Prince Georges Creeks, which drain into the Cape Fear River. He then presented the 2017-2018 Water Quality Monitoring Program Report highlighting the results of the water quality samples collected and analyzed for biological, chemical and physical parameters from the following monitoring stations:  New Hanover County Water Quality Monitoring Program:  Methods: monthly sampling from July 2017 – June 2018  Physical parameters, chemical parameters, and biological parameters are utilized  Results:  2016-2017: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 258 Prince Barnards Futch Lords Motts Pages Smith Parameter Georges Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Turbidity GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Dissolved Oxygen FAIR FAIR GOOD FAIR FAIR POOR GOOD Chlorophyll-a GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Enterococci GOOD GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR GOOD FAIR  2017-2018: Prince Barnards Futch Lords Motts Pages Smith Parameter Georges Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Turbidity GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Dissolved Oxygen GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD FAIR FAIR GOOD Chlorophyll-a GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Enterococci FAIR FAIR POOR FAIR POOR POOR POOR  Results for each of the seven creeks from the past year are as follows:  Barnards Creek – located in the western part of the County draining into the Cape Fear River:  Parameter BC-CBR  Turbidity Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good  Chlorophyll-A Good  Enterococci Fair  Futch Creek – located in the northeastern part of the County draining into the Intracoastal Waterway:  Parameter FC-4 FC-6 FC-13 FC-FOY Creek  Turbidity Good Good Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good Fair Good Fair Good  Chlorophyll-A Good Good Good Good Good  Enterococci Good Good Fair Poor Fair  Lords Creek – located in the southwestern part of the County draining into the Cape Fear River:  Parameter LC-RR  Turbidity Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good  Chlorophyll-A Good  Enterococci Poor  Motts Creek – located north of Lords Creek draining into the Cape Fear River:  Parameter MOT-CBR MOT-ND Creek  Turbidity Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good Good Good  Chlorophyll-A Good Good Good  Enterococci Fair Fair Fair  Pages Creek – located in the northeastern part of the County draining into the Intracoastal Waterway:  Parameter PC-BDUS PC-BDDS PC-M Creek  Turbidity Good Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Fair Good Good Fair  Chlorophyll-A Good Good Good Good  Enterococci Poor Poor Poor Poor  Prince Georges Creek – northwestern part of the County draining into the Cape Fear River:  Parameter PG-CH PG-ML PG-NC Creek  Turbidity Good Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good Fair Poor Fair  Chlorophyll-A Good Good Good Good  Enterococci Poor Fair Poor Poor  Smith Creek – located in the north central part of the County draining into the Cape Fear River:  Parameter SC-23 SC-CD SC-CH SC-GR SC-NK Creek  Turbidity Good Good Good Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Good Good Good Good Good Good  Chlorophyll-A Good Good Good Good Good Good  Enterococci Good Poor Fair Poor Poor Poor NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 259  Summary Results 2017-2018: Prince Barnards Futch Lords Motts Pages Smith Parameter Georges Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Turbidity GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Dissolved Oxygen GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD FAIR FAIR GOOD Chlorophyll-a GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD Enterococci FAIR FAIR POOR FAIR POOR POOR POOR  Enterococci Ratings over the past three years: Prince Barnards Futch Lords Motts Pages Smith Georges Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Enterococci 2015-2016 POOR FAIR FAIR POOR POOR POOR FAIR Enterococci 2016-2017 GOOD GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR GOOD FAIR Enterococci 2017-2018 FAIR FAIR POOR FAIR POOR POOR POOR  Airlie Gardens Lake Monthly Monitoring:  AG-IN (northern part of lake), AG-Floating Dock (FD), AG-Outfall (OUT)  Physical Parameters, Orthophosphate, Nitrate/Nitrite  Airlie Gardens Lake Water Quality Results:  Parameter AG-IN* AG-FD AG-OUT  Turbidity Good Good Good  Dissolved Oxygen Fair Fair Fair  Chlorophyll-A Good Fair Good * Nutrient levels at AG-IN have been higher, on average, compared to the other two sites further south and closer to the outfall.  Conclusions:  Turbidity and Chlorophyll-a levels were deemed to be “good” in all creeks.  Enterococci bacteria levels worsened while dissolved oxygen levels have improved this past year compared to last, however long term trends have demonstrated fluctuations on an annual basis  Enterococci bacteria issues persist at Pages Creek.  Water quality within Airlie Gardens appears to be driven in part by nutrient-laden stormwater runoff which may spur algal blooms and reduced dissolved oxygen In response to Board questions regarding fish kills at Greenfield Lake, Mr. Rosov stated that Aptim does not monitor Greenfield Lake. It is handled by the City of Wilmington. He believes the fish kills were a result of Hurricane Florence. Regarding the high levels of enterococci in Lords Creek and only one site being monitored, Mr. Rosov stated more data would provide more information to offer insight as to the possible issue. Due to bridge work, the site was only able to be monitored six of the 12 months. The three of the six sampling results reported higher than the standard for enterococci. He is unable to say if the sampling had been done 20 times if the higher amount would still be seen. This year’s results were an anomaly and in years past the water quality was good. If there was the ability to add another monitoring and make more visits, more information may be learned on what the water quality situation is and the possible things that need to be fixed. In response to additional questions about Lords Creek, Mr. Rosov confirmed that there were only six rounds of testing because the site was not accessible due to bridge work. There is enough funding monitor for the full 12 months. If there was additional funding, additional monitoring sites could be added. Monitoring is currently only done close to the mouth of the creek. Regarding Pages Creek and the deferment of the grant from the Duke Energy Water Resource Fund, Mr. Rosov stated the source of the contamination was found and identified as human contamination at two of the sampling sites through studies done in tandem with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The next step is to determine where the issue stems from. Reapplication is being made for the grant funds to move forward with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to further study and determine the actual location of the problem. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Rosov for the presentation. HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY UPDATE AND ADOPTION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT’S DESIGNATION OF APPLICANT’S AGENT FOR THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAMS (HMGP) RESOLUTION Chief Strategy Officer and Hurricane Florence Recovery Manager Beth Schrader stated the Board is being asked to adopt the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management's Designation of Applicant's Agent for the HMGP resolution which allows the designated primary and secondary agents to file applications for assistance on behalf of New Hanover County for the HMGP, receive information about programs and eligibility, and represent and act for the County with the State of North Carolina and FEMA in regards to matters related to the program. In adopting and executing the resolution, the Board of Commissioners also assures and certifies that the County will NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 260 comply with FEMA and federal regulations, policies, guidelines and requirements. Ms. Schrader provided the following Hurricane Florence recovery update:  Individual Assistance:  Individual Assistance cut-off for registration has been extended to December 19, 2018  As of December 14, 2018 there have been: IHP Housing Housing Other Needs Registrations Referrals IHP Amount Assistance Assistance Referrals Other Needs Referrals Amount Amount 20,830 17,954 $11,049,752.61 17,087 $9,168,000.13 7,497 $1,881,752.48  Housing Assistance is either via financial or direct:  Financial Housing Assistance: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funds paid directly to eligible individuals and households and may include the following types of assistance:  Rental Assistance: To secure temporary housing while repairs are being made to the pre- disaster primary residence or while transitioning to permanent housing. Rental Assistance may be used to rent a house, apartment, manufactured home, recreational vehicle, or other readily fabricated dwelling.  Lodging Expense Reimbursement: Reimbursement for hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging while an applicant is displaced from their primary residence.  Home Repair Assistance: To help repair an owner-occupied primary residence, utilities, and residential structure, including privately-owned access routes (driveways, roads, or bridges) to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition.  Home Replacement Assistance: To help homeowners replace their uninsured or under- insured primary residence, destroyed by a disaster.  Direct Housing Assistance: FEMA may provide direct housing services to eligible individuals and households, when disaster survivors are unable to use Rental Assistance due to a lack of availability  Other Needs Assistance:  Small Business Administration (SBA) Dependent Types of Other Needs Assistance – Only individuals or households who do not qualify for a loan from the SBA may be eligible for the following types of assistance:  Personal Property Assistance: To repair or replace essential household items including, but not limited to, furnishings and appliances, accessibility items defined within the Americans with Disabilities Act, and specialized tools and protective clothing required by an employer.  Transportation Assistance: To repair or replace a vehicle damaged by a disaster and other transportation-related costs.  Moving and Storage Assistance: To relocate and store personal property from the damaged primary residence to prevent further disaster damage, such as ongoing repairs, and returning the property to the primary residence.  Non-SBA Dependent Types of Other Needs Assistance: May be awarded regardless of the individual’s or household’s SBA disaster loan status and may include:  Funeral Assistance: Assistance is available to individuals and households who have incurred or will incur eligible funeral expenses that are directly or indirectly related to the disaster.  Medical and Dental Assistance: To assist with medical or dental expenses caused by a disaster, which may include injury, illness, loss of prescribed medication and equipment, or insurance co-payments.  Child Care Assistance: A one-time payment, covering up to eight cumulative weeks of child care expenses, for a household’s increased financial burden to care for children aged 13 and under; and/or children aged 14 to 18 with a disability as defined by federal law.  Transitional Sheltering and Direct Housing (TSA):  As of December 14, 2018 there have been: Pre-Placement Eligible For Haul And Install Work Issued Site Inspections Units Licensed In Interviews Inspection Orders Issued 456 120 11 8 4  TSA cumulative eligible = 1,348  Cumulative used = 203  Currently checked in = 108  New Hanover County is the only county that continues to see an uptick in TSA usage. It is believed a large portion of this is due to people leaving other people’s homes to now be moved into a hotel as some hotel space is becoming available. Another contributing factor is the displacement of people from Jervay. In regard to direct housing, four units have been licensed and placed and eight more are on the way. New Hanover County has been vocal about advocating for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program. This is where a contractor or volunteer organizations are paid by FEMA to come in and rapidly get people’s houses NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 261 in order so it is safe and sanitary. Houses are not restored to the condition before the hurricane, but to a point where people can move back into their homes and live. The state has selected a contractor who will be the organization that will handle projects in excess of $8,000 but less than $17,000 of expenditures. At the state level, teams are doing evaluations, based on the FEMA records and case management, to identify people for both the contractor program and the volunteerdriven program. All of these people have $8,000 or less worth of damage. Based on the ‑ preliminary damage assessment, this is more than 1,900 of homeowners in the unincorporated part of the County.  SBA Loan Program:  The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords), nonprofits, homeowners and renters to cover uninsured or uncompensated losses or damage from Florence. After registering for disaster assistance, applicants may be referred to the SBA. There’s no obligation to accept a loan, but you may miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds if you don’t apply. If you don’t qualify for an SBA disaster loan, you may be referred back to FEMA for Other Needs Assistance grants.  The deadline for filing an SBA application for low-interest disaster loans for physical damage as a result of Hurricane Florence is December 19, 2018  The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is June 14, 2019  SBA loan statistics as of December 14, 2018: Home Loans Business Loans Economic Injury Loans FEMA Referrals 14,200 3,139 164 Applications Received 2,496 342 137 Applications Approved 1,143 125 51 Total $ Approved $35,080,600 $6,633,600 $2,667,900  Disaster Recovery Center (DRC):  Total Daily Interactions = 113  Cumulative number of individuals seen = 7,168  Most Frequent Reasons for Visits:  Housing assistance; SBA residential loans; document assistance; and rental assistance th Currently, New Hanover County is the only DRC open in the state. As of December 20, FEMA will decamp from the DRC site. However, the SBA and State Individual Assistance teams will remain onsite to continue to assist residents throughout the end of January.  Hazard Mitigation Grant Program:  December 14, 2018 was the first deadline in regards to the accelerated buyout program which is known as the 407 Acquisition / Buy Out Program:  12 Letters of Interest (LOIs) were filed on December 14, 2018  Limited number of people eligible due to program terms:  Home has to have been substantially damaged, which means more than 50% of the home was destroyed  Have to be in the 100-year flood plain and be the owner  404 program is the broader All Uniform Hazard Mitigation Program:  Program is for people who do not qualify for the 407 portion  LOIs due by February 8, 2019  Additional categories of mitigation eligible  Working with staff, community partners, and homeowners to develop projects / complete the LOI  Public Assistance:  27 entities in New Hanover County have filed a Request for Public Assistance (RPA):  22 eligible  Five pending  New Hanover County has elected to break up the Category A Debris Removal Project Worksheets (PWs) into phases in an effort to obtain reimbursement as quickly as possible for the County:  Filing for work completed through November 18, 2018  It is $9,486,000 in expenses  Goal is to have this particular PW through the system to obtain reimbursement prior to the end of this fiscal year. This will be dependent on the audit function at FEMA as well as the state’s ability to disperse the payments.  Damage Inventory for Permanent Work (Categories C-G) due January 4, 2019 Chairman Barfield thanked Ms. Schrader for the update and asked for direction from the Board on the resolution. Motion: Commissioner Kusek MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to adopt the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management’s Designation of Applicant’s Agent for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs resolution and designate Chief Strategy Officer/Recovery Manager Elizabeth Schrader and Emergency Management/911 Director Steven Still as the New Hanover County Agents. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 262 In response to Board questions regarding the STEP program, Ms. Schrader stated no one has been served and evaluations are still being done at FEMA for the state. The 1,900 is staff’s estimate based on the preliminary damage assessments initially conducted by the County in conjunction with the FEMA teams. The number may decrease as some houses deteriorate over time, which may move some people into the higher reimbursement area. Regarding whether or not all the small businesses in this community have been reached out to about the SBA process, Ms. Schrader stated that she does not believe so and staff is working with the SBA and the Chamber of Commerce to do additional outreach to make people aware of their options. One challenge is that this is a loan that not all of the businesses want to take on, despite it being a relatively low interest rate. The key challenge for most business owners is the income loss, although a number also experienced physical damage. The SBA loan really does not address that. With the working capital part, it is a temporary working capital loan. It is not necessarily a replacement for lost income so there is still a gap. There are two parts to it: 1) to try to make as many people aware of this option being available and 2) to keep them solvent and help keep them up and running. In response to additional questions, Ms. Schrader stated the recovery office is located at 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Unit A and the phone number is 910-798-7007. If a person who has a small business has not applied for an SBA loan, the person can come to the office to receive help to work through the process. People can also meet with SBA specialists at the DRC located at 3500 Independence Boulevard, which is in the Independence Mall, immediately next door to the old Sears building. Currently, no assistance money has been identified for loss of income by small businesses. It does not mean money will not be identified in the future and that may be an opportunity for legislative agenda items moving through the process and into next year. Ms. Schrader encouraged people or small businesses to submit an application in hope of future relief. No guarantees can be made in regards to availability and again, there is no obligation to take the SBA loan but it is helpful to apply for it. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield asked for a vote on the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 20.3. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER ZAPPLE AS THE VOTING DELEGATE TO THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (NCACC) 2019 LEGISLATIVE GOALS CONFERENCE Chairman Barfield presented the request to appoint a voting delegate to the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference which will be held January 10-11, 2019 in Wake County, North Carolina. Each Board of County Commissioners is requested to designate a voting delegate and submit the information to NCACC by December 28, 2018. Motion: Chairman Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman, to appoint Commissioner Zapple as voting delegate to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Conference which will be held January 10-11, 2019 in Wake County, North Carolina. Chairman Barfield stated that during the December NCACC Board of Directors meeting a review was done of all the legislative goals culled by the NCACC steering committees over the past several months. He believes several of the County’s goals made it through the process. Goals of significant importance that moved forward and will be discussed in January during the conference are:  Environmental Goal Number One: Seek legislation to restore county authority over solid waste management and oppose any further shift of authority away from local governments  Environmental Goal Number Two: Support increased state funds for the clean water management trust fund and other water quality programs and oppose a relaxation of environmental regulations for water supplies; and  Environmental Goal Number Three: Support legislation that provides resources for the state agencies to develop health advisory levels for emerging contaminants. Discussion was also held about moving forward in tax and finance section a goal geared toward reinstating the affordable housing tax credits, recognizing the need for developers and others to build affordable houses in communities. Chairman Barfield looks forward to Commissioner Zapple being the County’s voting delegate. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield called for a vote on the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority/WAVE Transit Authority Chairman Barfield reported that two vacancies exist on the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority/WAVE Transit Authority with one applicant eligible for reappointment and three additional applications available for consideration. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 263 Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman nominated Steven D. Kelly reappointment and Caylan J. McKay for appointment. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Steven D. Kelly and appoint Caylan J. McKay to the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority/WAVE Transit Authority to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire December 31, 2021. Appointment to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the Education Community category with two applications available for consideration. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman nominated Anne York. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Anne York to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the Education Community category to serve an unexpired term with the term to expire September 30, 2019. Appointments to the New Hanover County Board of Health Chairman Barfield reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Board of Health with two applicants eligible for reappointment and six additional applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated for reappointment Dr. Stephanie D. Smith in the Nurse category and Dr. Kim Thrasher-Horne in the Pharmacist category, and nominated Michael G. Musselwhite for appointment in the General Public category. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Dr. Stephanie D. Smith in the Nurse category and Dr. Kim Thrasher-Horne in the Pharmacist category, and appoint Michael G. Musselwhite in the General Public category to the New Hanover County Board of Health to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire December 31, 2021. Appointment to the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee Chairman Barfield reported that up to four vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee with one applicant eligible for reappointment. Chairman Barfield nominated Pamela O’Quinn for reappointment. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Pamela O’Quinn to the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2021. Appointment to the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners in the Journeyman Plumber category with one application available for consideration. Chairman Barfield nominated Thomas L. Crittenden, Jr. for reappointment in the Journeyman Plumber category. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Thomas L. Crittenden Jr. to the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners in the Journeyman Plumber category to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 1, 2021. Appointment to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Chairman Barfield reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority with one applicant eligible for reappointment. Chairman Barfield nominated LeAnn Pierce for reappointment in the Carolina Beach Hotel Owner/Manager category. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nomination on the floor. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 264 Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint LeAnn Pierce to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority in the Carolina Beach Hotel Owner/Manager category to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2021. Appointments to the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors Chairman Barfield reported that three vacancies exist on the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors with four applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Michelle Fogle and Amy McGlinn for unexpired terms expiring June 30, 2021 and Spero Pekatos for an unexpired term expiring June 30, 2020. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman nominated Mark J. Ihnat. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Michelle Fogle and Amy McGlinn to the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors to serve unexpired terms expiring June 30, 2021. Vote Results: The Board voted in the majority to appoint Mark J. Ihnat to serve to the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors to serve unexpired terms expiring June 30, 2020. Chairman Barfield, Vice- Chairwoman Olson-Boseman, Commissioner Kusek, and Commissioner White voted in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Barfield reported that no one had signed up to speak on non-agenda items. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Consideration and Adoption of Chemours Consent Order Resolution Chairman Barfield requested County Manager Coudriet to provide information regarding the request for the Board to consider adopting the Chemours Consent Order Resolution. County Manager Coudriet stated that staff, in taking direction from the Board via e-mail and other conversations, has drafted the resolution with an aim toward improving the draft consent order via the comment period that is in place and closes December 31, 2018. The resolution is being presented based on general consensus of the Board. Specifically, it begins by identifying four points that the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) identifies as what it saw as deficiencies when the order was released in draft form just before Thanksgiving. The CFPUA followed up with comments and identified four things specifically that it had concerns with, which is referenced within the resolution. The resolution also offers five things this Board has collectively identified as specific things that should be done to improve the consent order that is in place. Commissioner Kusek who sits on the board, along with CFPUA Executive Director Jim Flechtner and CFPUA Attorney Linda Miles, attended a CFPUA meeting that took place this morning regarding this matter. He cannot speak as to what took place in the meeting but certainly they would be able to answer questions. County Manager Coudriet stated he would review the key pieces of the resolution and then take comments from the Board. One whereas statement notes that since the presence of GenX specifically and clear recognition around PFAS are in our water supply, local, state and federal officials have been advocating very clearly for research, water treatment, and the enforcement of PFAS and specific interest in GenX. It also notes that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) along with others have been diligently negotiating a consent order with Chemours. However, it also notes that the negotiations have taken place at least apparently with no local, state, or federal officials offering input to the order itself. The lack of participation by local, state, and federal officials, who officially represent the residents and businesses of the region, has resulted in a draft of a proposed consent order that is not comprehensive enough and does not go far enough. This Board, through this resolution, is reiterating the four problems identified by CFPUA in its postThanksgiving comments that were not addressed in the consent order: - 1.The proposed order does not resolve the problem of PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies for New Hanover County. 2.The proposed order fails to provide a solution for the citizens of New Hanover County who continue to be exposed to the PFAS compounds at levels higher than 10 parts per trillion, individually, and 70 parts per trillion combined. 3.The proposed order does not address river sediment contamination, nor does it suggest possible remediation solutions. 4.The proposed order does not address damages to groundwater in New Hanover County through the contamination of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) site. This Board is also asking that the consent order to be inclusive of: 1.Chemours reimburse CFPUA no less than the cost for the new Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) Filtration System at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, estimated at $46 million, and the potential for additional GAC filtration systems installed at the multiple wastewater treatment plants in New Hanover County, and other associated costs with planning and operations for these plans; NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 265 2.NCDEQ develop a plan of how to address the PFAS and PFOA (C8) build up in the riverbed sediment and in local ground water and crops; 3.Installation of under counter Reverse Osmosis systems, or, bottled water distribution to homes affected by PFAS contaminants, until CFPUA water can be cleaned; 4.Long term monitoring for all PFAS and PFOA in CFPUA water supply; and 5.Medical monitoring requirement, which may take additional action by the Legislature to make happen. County Manager Coudriet stated that the resolution contains the four points identified as deficiencies by the CFPUA and the five specific requests from this Board. The CFPUA staff did review the resolution and did not take exception to it in its draft form. This summary provides what this resolution attempts to accomplish with the consent order. Chairman Barfield stated that this resolution has brought about great community debate and concern. Some from misinformation, some from correct information, and some from major assumptions based on people’s own thought process without any conversations with the Commissioners. He thinks it is important that the Board comments on the consent order as it has been asked, along with the entire state. He spoke with NCDEQ Secretary Regan recently about his concerns with the consent order and the fact that the County needed to speak on behalf of its citizens. Secretary Regan asked others to make comments, so this Board is going to respond to the ask. It is understood there are concerns that if asks come forward, Chemours may step back from the table. However, NCDEQ and the other parties involved will hear the comments from all across and they will ultimately determine how to move forward in negotiations with Chemours. The comments will assist in determining exactly what to address. Chairman Barfield further stated that he finds oftentimes that many people operate for the saying that “the fear of loss is a greater motivator than the opportunity to gain.” The fear will cause them to shut down and not go after the greater good. The fact is there will be a need to spend at least $46 million to build a facility that will treat the GenX that is in the water and other emerging contaminants going forward. He understands that CFPUA is considering charging every citizen utilizing it services $5 a month until the system is paid for and it is unknown how long that will take. For him, when a single mom is struggling and is getting assistance, $5 a month can makeor ‑‑ break a budget. For some people that is a significant amount of resources in their household. Chairman Barfield expressed appreciation for the work done by the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Cape Fear River Keeper in this matter. However, for him the reality is he has never seen those individuals’ names on a ballot in this community to represent the entire citizenry of this county. Everyone has their interests in this resolution, but his job as a Commissioner is to represent not just one particular group but the entire community and speak for everyone. There are some people who come to these board meetings wearing their red shirts, speaking for their interests, but at the same time a lot of people who do not attend are also expecting the Commissioners to speak on their behalf. The demands that are being made in asking the state to consider reimbursing the cost of the filtration facility and coming up with a plan to address the PFAS and PFOAS in the future is nothing short of what should be done. People in Bladen County have been given the ability to have clean drinking water. The same things should be done for the citizens here in this community that are concerned about the water quality they have. Again, he thinks the Board would be derelict in its duties if it did not make this ask and did not make the comments. It is one thing if NCDEQ said it does not want any comments, but the ask has been made for comments. Commissioner Zapple stated that he joins Chairman Barfield’s comments about the good work done by the Cape Fear River Keeper, River Watch, Southern Environmental Law Firm, and NCDEQ and about NCDEQ asking for comments about what needs to happen here. He thinks every person on this board has been very vocal in the past and will continue to be on this matter. The situation here in New Hanover County is unacceptable. Until citizens can turn the taps on and know that they can drink, cook, and bathe with the water, the problem will not be solved. He thinks the comments in this resolution reflect the seriousness by which this Board addresses this problem. It is not to take away from the work done by the organizations to get a hold of the problem when there was no motion on the issue several months ago. There is now a plan to stop most of the pollution at the source and he appreciates the organizations’ efforts on this front. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Kusek MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner White, to adopt the Chemours Consent Order Resolution. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 20.4. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS Chairman Barfield thanked Natalie English and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for coordinating the InterCity Visit to Greenville, SC to look at what that city is doing from an economic development standpoint. Much was learned about some of the innovative things being done there. One thing he heard in terms of economic development, is that it is building wealth in one’s community. Not about jobs and other things, but about building wealth in one’s community. This was an opportunity to gauge one’s own community against other communities and see what they are doing that may be better or worse. It also allowed the opportunity to recognize in some cases you are doing the same things and how improvements can be made in terms of planning. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 17, 2018 PAGE 266 Commissioner Zapple stated that what was heard over and over again during the trip was that the plan for Greenville’s success was intentional and they followed the plan. It took over two decades to get where they are now. The group saw the before pictures and saw what had occurred as a result of the efforts when touring the downtown area. The message given to all of the local officials attending was create the plan, agree on the plan, and then follow it. It really worked for Greenville. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Barfield stated this was the last meeting of the year and he wished everyone Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and asked that everyone celebrate responsibly and wisely during this holiday season and adjourned the meeting at 11:28 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.