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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-18 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 299 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, February 18, 2019, 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 Thomas Nixon, St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Rob 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 Kusek MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, 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 Regular Meeting of February 4, 2019. Adoption of American Legion Centennial Day Proclamation – Governing Body The Commissioners adopted the proclamation declaring March 16, 2019 as American Legion Centennial Day in New Hanover County. 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Chairman Barfield will present the proclamation during the anniversary celebration, which will be held on March 16, 2019 at Hugh MacRae Park starting at 11:00 a.m. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 24.1. Approval to Amend the Schedule of the Board of Commissioners Meetings in July 2019 – Governing Body The Commissioners approved amending the 2019 Scheduled of Agenda Review and Regular Board of Commissioners Meetings for July and August as follows: By removing the following meetings:  Agenda Review on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.  Agenda Review on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.  Agenda Review on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. By adding the following meetings:  Agenda Review on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.  Regular Meeting on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. A copy of the amended schedule is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 24.2. Adoption of a Resolution to Submit a 2020 Grant Application to the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program for Funding in the Amount of $20,000 for “Booze It and Lose It” and “Click it or Ticket” – Sheriff’s Office The Commissioners adopted a resolution approving the submission of the Sheriff’s Office 2020 grant application to the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program for funding in the amount of $20,000 for “Booze It and Lose It” and “Click it or Ticket.” The Governor's Highway Safety Program needs assistance in gathering statistics and coordinating the initiatives of "Booze It and Lose It" and "Click It or Ticket" for Region 3. The total project costs $20,000; $10,000 for training and travel for Sheriff's Office personnel that will assist in the campaigns and training; and $10,000 for radars. There is no local match requirement. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 24.3. Adoption of a Resolution for the Ratification of a Bid Award for the Purchase of Delivery of Sand – Environmental Management The Commissioners adopted a resolution for the ratification of the award of a bid to 421 Sandmine, LLC, for sand purchase and delivery to the New Hanover County Landfill. The purchase of sand was needed on an exigent NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 300 basis, and continues to be required, to satisfy permit requirements for providing cover of landfilled solid waste in order to avoid potentially hazardous environmental conditions and the possibility of permit violations. Delivery of the sand on Sundays is necessary to avoid disruption of the heavy customer traffic during normal operating days at the landfill. After due advertisement, one (1) bid was received from a qualified bidder, and was opened on Friday, February 1, 2019: Bidder: 421 Sandmine, LLC Bid Price: $6.00/ton (for Sunday delivery) Due to the urgent need for the sand to be delivered beginning on Sunday, February 2, 2019, a purchase order was issued to 421 Sandmine LLC. with notice to proceed effective February 2, 2019, with the intent to request ratification of the bid award by the Board of County Commissioners as soon as possible following the initiation of sand purchase and delivery. Funds are available in the Environmental Management Enterprise Fund for the purchase of sand. The total estimated cost of the current need is approximately $96,000. Additional purchase of sand may be necessary for the remainder of the current fiscal year to meet permit and environmental safety requirements. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 24.4. Approval for Library to Apply for a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) EZ Grant – Library The Commissioners approved the Library’s application submission for a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) EZ grant. If awarded, the LSTA grant funds would be used to hire a local landscape design consultant to create a conceptual master plan for outdoor space at the Pine Valley Branch Library for children’s programming and as a demonstration site for New Hanover County best practices for residential land and water use. There is a 25% match requirement which the library would provide using gift funds from an escrow account. There is no requirement for funding after the end of the grant period. The Library Foundation has committed funds to implement an outdoor design at Pine Valley. 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:  Health 19-041  Property Management 19-046  Senior Resource Center 19-037  Sheriff's Office 19-042, 19-043, 19-044, 19-045, 19-047  Social Services 19-038, 19-039, 19-040 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 24.5. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Terry Stephens, Social Services Andrea Thomas, Health Lindsay Young, Sheriff’s Office Fifteen Years: Leslie Chaney, Information Technology 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: Raven Coots, Social Services Anthony Crider, Sheriff’s Office Vanessa Fuson, Social Services Robert Harrelson, Environmental Management Milan Jacobs, Emergency Management/911 Emily Jones, Emergency Management/911 Kayla Kramer, Emergency Management/911 Thomas Pacelli, Senior Resource Center Susanne Powers, Social Services Alison Slack, Social Services Morris Thomas, Emergency Management/911 Beverly Vann, Social Services Kelly West, Emergency Management/911 Taylor Williams, Health NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 301 The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL UPDATE Raymond Bray, President of the Airlie Gardens Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, presented the annual update 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 2017-18 Financial Information:  Revenue was $1,724,079 with operational expenses of $1,271,327  Foundation capital project investment: $116,288  Active Membership totals reached: 2,110  Membership revenues at $233,686 (up 19%)  Gate revenues at $34,679 (up 7%)  Endowment balance approximately $3.7 million  Garden Statistics:  More than 124,000 visitors in FY 2017-18  Visitation only down by 16% thus far in FY 2018-19; closed for 43 consecutive days from Hurricane Florence and record amount of rain  Welcomed 5,716 New Hanover County residents during County Free Day  One of the premier Tourist Attractions in New Hanover County. One of the top three tourist attractions according to: Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Encore Magazine, and Star News  #2 “Things to Do” on Trip Advisor and a Certificate of Excellence Award Winner  Enchanted Airlie: Event was completely sold out all 20 nights  5,800 volunteer hours  Garden Enhancements:  Repaired sidewalks at the Bottle Chapel  Purchased two new garden accessibility trams as well as a wedding tram  Installed new sidewalk to the pier increasing accessibility  Paved pedestrian path leading from the entrance gate to the garden  Replaced trash receptacles to include recycling bins increasing our ability to be “green”  Awarded $250,000 Clean Water Management Trust Fund Innovative Stormwater grant  Hurricane Florence:  Lost approximately 275 trees  Many camellias and azaleas were crushed by falling trees  Spillway did not fail but the lake likely received brackish water from Bradley Creek  Spring Garden received heavy flooding  Purchased 100 new trees and shrubs from generous donations received  388 hours of cleanup assistance from our volunteers  Gnome Invasion Exhibit:  Sixth year in a row Airlie Gardens hosted a garden art exhibit July-December 2018:  Featured 15 five-foot-tall fiberglass garden gnomes placed throughout the grounds  Local artists submitted designs to decorate, paint, and otherwise adorn one of the oversized garden gnome models. Selections based on creativity, craftsmanship, use of materials, the ability to appeal to all age groups, and outdoor sustainability  Gnomes were sold at online auction and also donated to several New Hanover County facilities In response to Board questions, Mr. Bray stated that work is currently being done on the lake utilizing storm water management processes. The lake did not receive a lot of damage from Hurricane Florence and presently work is being done on aeration and filtration systems. The damage to the exterior fence lots has been surveyed and the fence was replaced where necessary. Chairman Barfield stated that he appreciates the work of everyone at Airlie Gardens, particularly with the garden enhancements and improvements. He thanked Mr. Bray for the update. 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:  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 we enhance more than the county’s beauty, we improve the health, community and economic strength.”  Fundraising:  Two Food Truck Rodeos: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 302  Event attendance increased to 10,000 in 2018  Coastal Fitness Challenge  Plant an Azalea Program  Grants:  Duke Energy Water Resources Fund: funded the kayak launch, storage facility, and trailhead sign at Pages Creek Park Preserve  Cape Fear Garden Club: beautification of Veterans Park and Hugh MacRae  Johnson’s Nursery: in-kind grant to match Garden Club grants  Volunteerism:  Trash Mob:  Quarterly clean-ups on Harris Road  Monthly clean-ups in various locations around the county  In 2018, volunteers logged 209 hours, cleaning over 10 miles of road  Park Beautification:  Cape Fear Garden Club - Plant an Azalea Week  Realtor Action Day - April 4, 2018  Females in Action - Monthly clean-ups at Hugh MacRae Park  Special events and outreach Mr. Blaesing expressed appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to present the update. Commissioner Zapple thanked Mr. Blaesing for the report and expressed appreciation for getting the food truck rodeo started and for the other activities that occur at the various parks. Anytime anyone wants to get involved with the parks, participating in any of the events is a great way to get to know the people running the parks. It’s also a great way to give back to the community. Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Blaesing for the update. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL UPDATE New Hanover County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chairman Shawn Spencer presented the annual update highlighting the following information:  Multi-Use Trails:  There are several new initiatives this year. The community has been clear about the importance of trails and connectivity. There are partnerships with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and Wilmington Metropolitan Organization (WMPO) on several trail projects taking place over the next couple of years:  Middle Sound Loop Trail segments  Military Cutoff Extension  Market Street  Ogden Park connector trail  Tennis and Pickleball Courts:  Veteran’s Park: Nine tennis courts resurfaced and three pickleball courts lined  Northern Regional Park: converted two tennis courts to six pickleball courts  Renovations will begin on five clay tennis courts at Echo Farms in Spring 2019  Greater Wilmington Tennis Association (GWTA) has been an excellent partner over the years. GWTA assisted last year with funding for LED light conversion at Ogden Park and this year with resurfacing costs at Veteran’s Park courts.  Field Projects:  Completed drainage renovations at Ogden baseball fields  Expansion of Veteran’s Park Orange field  Lighting added at Murray Middle School multi-purpose field  Currently implementing improvement plans at Northern Regional Park and Ogden Park multi- purpose fields  Improvements will add much needed capacity to fields  Echo Farms Park Update:  Currently under design and permitting  Renovations to tennis courts: Spring 2019  Demolition and new construction: Summer 2019  Completion: Summer 2020  Additional courts likely added in 2023-2024. Pool anticipated to reopen in Summer 2020. Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Spencer for the presentation. Commissioner White stated that two of three last presenters are local business owners and are a vital part of the community. He thanked them for their service on these boards and stated that their service is meaningful and means a lot to the Board. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 303 TRILLIUM HEALTH RESOURCES ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTATION David Tart, Southern Regional Director of Trillium Health Resources, provided the annual report on Trillium Health Resources highlighting the following:  Trillium’s Mission: Transforming lives of people in need by providing ready access to quality care  Who We Are – Numbers:  26 Counties  1,428,000 total population  205,000 Medicaid Eligible  Served almost 54,000  500 Providers  $355,201,859.00 spent on services last year  Smallest county: Tyrrell 3,800; Largest county: New Hanover 235,000  12,000 square miles  Regions:  Northern:  Population: 203,449; Square miles: 3,511.3; Number of counties: 10  Central:  Population: 494,374; Square miles: 4,717.2; Number of counties: 9  Southern:  Population: 715,460; Square miles: 4,176; Number of counties: 7  Coverage Change:  st Columbus County added July 1 2018  Giving them more options of providers  Some of Trillium’s largest providers are opening offices in Columbus County such as PORT Health Services and Integrated Family Services  Trillium has done several RFP’s specific to Columbus County to build their network  Legislative Changes:  The 1115 Waiver is required to be cost neutral  Standard Plan - Puts Behavioral Health services for mild to moderate needs into Standard Plans  Tailored Plan - Innovations Waiver and Severe Mental Health and substance use will be covered by Tailored Plan  Timeline:  February 2019: NC awarded contracts to the selected private insurance companies and/or provider-led entities (PLEs)  July 2019: Must have all call centers operational and all relevant staff located in North Carolina.  July-September 2019: Managed care will start in two phases. For regions of the state in Phase 1, this will be the window in which beneficiaries select a Prepaid Health Plan (PHP)  November 2019: The Medicaid managed care program will launch in regions in Phase 1  February 2020: State launches RFP for Tailored Plan to Managed Care Operators (MCOs), Phase 2 of Medicaid managed care launch (remaining regions)  May 2020: State awards Tailored Plan  February 2021: Readiness Review on MCO’s for Tailored Plan  July 2021: MCO’s Implement Tailored Plan  Funding Changes:  Since Standard Plans will be run by insurance companies, they will be managing a part of the Medicaid dollars  Tailored Plans which cover the higher risk individuals, Trillium’s per member/per month (PMPM) will be higher, but total number served under Trillium will be lower  Developing a whole person care model to cover costs of the physical issues along with the behavioral health issues  Partnership Changes:  Trillium is working with two other MCO’s, Alliance Behavioral Health and Vaya Health coalition known as Advancing NC Whole Health. www.advancingncwholehealth.com  This is a partnership-not a merger. Trillium believes by aligning its strengths and shared experiences, it can maximize its impact as it prepares to apply for the Tailored Plan and partner with the companies that receive the Standard Plan.  Partnering with the selected insurance companies for Standard Plan coverage  Organizational Changes:  Understanding Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)  Staff to oversee the individual/community needs around the SDoH  Working with DSS and Health Departments Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman asked Mr. Tart to explain what a female in southeastern North Carolina does if she has no insurance and where would she go. Mr. Tart stated that without insurance entirely, Trillium has contracts based on the state medical plan and there would be a choice of providers. Where the person would go would depends on the stage of addiction. If it is for an active addiction, Mr. Tart stated that if detox is needed the first step is Mobile Crisis. An assessment would be done within two hours by a Mobile Crisis provider that comes to NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 304 the person’s home. A person cannot go wrong by calling Trillium which maintains a call center operational 24-hours a day. The number is 1-877-685-2415. Trillium believes in the no wrong door principle. Trillium has two mobile crisis providers operational in New Hanover County, either which can be reached directly, by RHA or Integrated Family Services. People have the option if they are uncomfortable calling to use the crisis chat option available through the website. If they are not sure they want to do that, they can take a screening through the website that is a clinically valid instrument to find out if they are at risk or not. They will then have an assessment via Mobile Crisis and a professional will help them decide if detox is the right next step. Regarding the number of combined DSS and Health Departments in Trillium’s service area, Mr. Tart stated he does not know. There are consolidated directors in Onslow and Brunswick counties, but overall he does not know the total number. He does not have an opinion on how they work and would defer to those that are experts in public health and DSS operations. Mr. Tart continued with the presentation:  Update on Opioid Funding:  th State Fiscal Year 2018: July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018 - CURES Funding, Trillium spent $3,079,682  Total people served: 1,880  Many counties have developed Opioid Coalitions and applying for grants  Hurricane Update:  Numerous Internal and External Initiatives:  $30,000 in a web donation page for food, clothing, hygiene, etc.  4,000 care packages to shelters  1,500 comfort kits for children  Stocked 200 Pantries for Trillium’s TCLI members  1,000 backpacks from Cardinal Innovations  Hope4NC: FEMA grant to connect folks to resources  Expected impact on Trillium’s communities:  2-4% increase in services for adults needing mental health services  50-60% Increase in services for children under 13  35-45% increase in services for kids 13-18  Consumers Served in New Hanover County:  Total members served: 9,803 (Mental Health: 7,910; Substance Use: 2,467; Intellectual/Developmental Disorders: 1,250)  Total is unduplicated, since a single individual may receive services in more than one category Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated that as a new face on this board, she will not let go of this matter. There is a need for more resources and there are people with addictions that have nowhere to go. While she appreciates the information provided by Mr. Tart and Trillium’s work, someone with an active addiction is not going to go online to fill out a questionnaire. Mr. Tart stated that if he has conveyed today that people do not have a place to turn to he has failed in his comments. People can turn to Trillium 24 hours a day and they will be routed to the resources available. He agrees there should be more assistance and knows the state is working hard on the federal grants discussed today. He also knows Trillium is working hard to ensure all individuals in the 26 counties it serves have access to the help they need. A lot of it is left to the local leadership such as this Board. The Board and County Manager Coudriet and his team have shown remarkable vision for The Healing Place. He asked that people call Trillium if they are suffering from an addiction or mental health issue as there is help through outpatient services, inpatient services, and crisis services. If a person is experiencing mental health crisis, at risk of hurting themselves, experiencing withdrawal symptoms from an addiction, regardless of income level, call Trillium, and they will help with what the person needs. Of the 54,000 served by Trillium, Commissioner White asked if there is a way to know how many were adolescents. Mr. Tart stated he does not have the data with him, but yes, internally within Trillium there is a line of data for everyone that shows ages and various other things. If there is a specific data request, Mr. Tart asked that Commissioner White submit it through the county team and he will see what information can be provided to him. Regarding the discussion on the mobile crisis and crisis intervention being available to everyone, Commissioner White stated that it is very important information to repeat. In the last three weeks, he has helped place a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old in facilities for treatment, one in Utah and one in Healing Place in Wake County. These parents were not wealthy people, but not Medicaid recipients, and had nowhere to go and did not understand who to call. Until a person is in the moment, you do not know and do not do research until the resources are needed. Failure to take action, failure to intervene at an early time particularly with a child is a recipe for disaster. He has also thinks Mr. Tart should point out that Trillium works with local jails and detention centers. A lot of the juveniles are in jail right now and if you are a juvenile in New Hanover County you are housed in Brunswick County. That also poses incredible difficulties for families, attorneys and people trying to render services to the juvenile(s). It is not Trillium’s fault, but rather a function of the jail space available and short term issues. However, these challenges need to be brought up to people as well as policy makers so adequate funding can be provided because it is known that if intervention is done sooner, there is financial savings on the back end as well as saving lives and reducing addiction. He expressed appreciation to Mr. Tart for his work. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 305 Mr. Tart stated that no one has been more supportive of Trillium’s operations than New Hanover County and it is appreciated. In regard to the CURES program that has $3 million in funding and how the funding is used in New Hanover County, Mr. Tart stated that it is true for the CURES grant as well as other grant funding that it is difficult to build new programs because of the time-limited nature of a grant. Trillium, and he thinks most of the MCOs, chose to use the funds through the existing provider network. Trillium routed the funds, with a few exceptions, almost exclusively through its existing provider network allowing the providers to serve a greater number of citizens. Regarding the 9,803 New Hanover County residents that were served by Trillium, Mr. Tart stated that number is from Trillium’s claims data where there was a billable service. Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Tart for the presentation and for the work performed by Trillium. One thing he is aware of more now than ever is the lack of mental health services in our community. He is glad the County stepped up for funding of Healing Place because it is very much needed in this community. It is great to know that Trillium is a safety net for people that have no insurance or Medicaid to make sure they have access to resources. For those that have insurance, Trillium can connect them, at least initially, with the same resources. The one thing that needs to be advocated for is more bed spaces as there is a tremendous need. APPROVAL OF MODIFICATION TO CAPE FEAR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S ROAD PLAN FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING ON DANIEL BOONE TRAIL Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Operations and Finance Director Lauren Issacson expressed appreciation to Community Development Planner Julia Santure and Assistant County Manager Tim Burgess for their assistance to bring this project to fruition. She stated that the County has agreed to fund $212,000 toward the extension of water and sewer services to the new development and the existing homes. Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) is planning to build 27 new workforce homes on Daniel Boone Trail and there are 14 existing homes on said road. Today’s request is concerning the road. Currently, Daniel Boone Trail is a gravel road. Habitat plans to pave the existing road and extend it to the cul-de-sac where the new homes are being built. The original plan was to construct the road to NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) standards and petition NCDOT to take it over. Habitat learned during a meeting with NCDOT that it would be required to replace the existing 72-inch culvert with three 72-inch culverts. When the project was bid out, this requirement resulted in an additional $300,000 to the cost of the project. For Habitat, a nonprofit organization, this is a significant roadblock to get the project done. It should be noted that the existing 72-inch culvert went through Hurricane Florence perfectly fine. The water flowed and there were no flooding issues. Ms. Issacson stated that Habitat’s modification request is to leave the one 72-inch culvert in place, and otherwise build the road to standard so in the future, if the NCDOT would be agreeable, Habitat could turn over ownership of the road. As such, Habitat will retain ownership of the road but will have an agreement in place to have the 27 homes it is building participating in the road maintenance plan as part of the homeowners’ association dues and ask the 14 existing homes to participate in the road maintenance plan as well. Habitat thinks the existing homeowners will want to participate because Habitat will grant them access as part of their agreement to join the road maintenance plan. Ms. Issacson concluded her presentation stating that Habitat wanted to make the Board aware of this change and requests the Board’s approval of the plan modification. In response to Board questions, Ms. Issacson confirmed that Habitat would be responsible for the road, if and until NCDOT will take it over. The road association dues will be $10.00 per month and the entire homeowners’ association (HOA) dues will likely be $25.00 per month. She further explained that in addition to maintaining ownership, when Habitat was looking at the finance portion of the project with the additional $300,000 it was going to cost in initial budget, Habitat moved forward with committing to initially funding the road plan. The initial funding would be in an amount of $54,000 and that will be the initial seed money and annually it will continue to grow by approximately $8,000. The future money that comes in from homeowners and anyone who is a part of the road association agreement will fund the 20+ year plan for maintenance. In response to Board questions about individual homeowners being deeded access if they join the road association and what would happen if they declined joining, Ms. Issacson said a homeowner who declines joining would not be limited to using the road. Until the individual homeowner decides to join the road association it will be considered a gentleman’s type agreement to have access to use the road. What Habitat would be granting through the association is legal deeded access so if a person wants to sell their property in the future, it is not an encumbrance from them to a future buyer of the property. Habitat is prepared for the possibility that not all of the homeowners will take the offer. The plan is to fund it with just Habitat’s 27 homeowners participating in the HOA. Ms. Issacson confirmed that Habitat would not turn over the HOA to the residents once it is beyond 50% occupied. Habitat would remain responsible for the road and there is no sunset on that. The plan to build the development is a four-year plan. Due to Hurricane Florence, Habitat is planning to accelerate the build schedule. Chairman Barfield thanked Ms. Issacson for her presentation and asked for Board direction on the request. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 306 Motion: Commissioner White MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to approve the modification to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s road plan for workforce housing on Daniel Boone Trail. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PRESENTATION OF THE AUDIT REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 April Adams, Partner with Cherry Bekaert, LLP, presented the following information of the New Hanover County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018:  Role of the External Auditor:  Acts in accordance with two sets of auditing standards 1) Generally Accepted and 2) Governmental:  Actions:  Standards require the external auditor to plan and perform procedures to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement and in compliance  Results include four opinions in the form of:  Financial statements opinion  Yellow book opinion, which is a report on the internal controls over financial reporting, as well as compliance with laws and regulations that the County is required to follow  Federal funding opinion  State funding opinion  Required Communication:  Standards require that certain communication by the external auditor is done with the governing body of the entity via presentation and a letter attached to the financial statement  The audit firm communicates its independence as the entity’s external auditors as well as any significant changes, estimates, journal entries, and changes in policies or if there were changes or adjustments as a result of the audit  Key Highlights Results:  Opinions: County received four unmodified opinions, which is also known as a clean opinion. This is the highest level of assurance the County can receive from the external auditor that the financial statements are free from material misstatement and in compliance with the laws and compliance requirements.  Internal controls: No significant deficiencies or weaknesses found as a result of the audit  Single audit: There were no findings  Required communication: Implementation of GASB 75 – OPEB resulted in a $243 million prior period adjustment to the County’s financial statements. There will be estimates in such areas as OPEB and personal liability. There were no adjusting journal entries as a result of the audit and no passed adjusting journal entries. This means the books and records given to Cherry Bekaert, LLP to audit were indeed the books and records that were in the financial statements themselves.  Internal Controls of Financial Statements:  Significant transaction cycles in payroll, cash receipts, cash disbursements, and financial statement close  Testing of controls is done on a rotational basis of a three-year cycle and was done this year on the payroll cycle  Journal entry testing: Audit standards require testing the active journal entries data to look for certain indicators of fraud or unusual transactions  Information Technology (IT) controls in place for best practices:  IT entity level, backup policy and recovery, access and security, network security, program change management, and system development life cycle  Significant Audit Areas of Financial Statements:  Assets and revenues: cash investments, accounts receivable and revenues, and capital assets  Liabilities and expenses: account payable and expenses, payroll and related accruals, long term debt, other post-employment benefits (OPEB), and pensions  Other items: net position, legal, related parties, estimates, commitments, and subsequent events  Significant Audit Areas of Internal Controls and Compliance – Single Audit:  Major federal and state programs for administrative controls, monitoring reports, compliance matrix, and compliance testing:  Federal: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Child Support Enforcement, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance  State: State Child Welfare, State Foster Home, and Public School Building Capital Fund  Financial Results:  Property Taxes:  Collections exceeded budgeted expectations by $728,196  2018: Assessed value: $33,736,227,148; Amount of levy collected: $191,954,631 (99.28%)  2017: Assessed value: $30,816,597,285; Amount of levy collected: $191,650,934 (99.15%)  General Fund Balance: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 307  County Policy is to maintain an unassigned fund balance of 18% - 21% of general fund expenditures and outflows  2018 equated to 21% and 2017 equated to 21%  General Fund Revenues (in thousands): Comparison Revenues 2018 2017 Taxes $245,241 $240,675 Intergovernmental 34,999 43,257 Charges for Services 11,279 11,254 Investments 1,372 747 Other 585 1,441 Special Assessments 10 9 TOTAL $293,486 $297,383  General Fund Expenses (in thousands): Comparison Expenses 2018 2017 General Government $44,529 $ 38,371 Human Services 50,947 58,259 Public Safety 62,311 57,679 Econ Physical 2,192 1,107 Development Culture and Recreation 11,778 12,092 Education 88,104 85,736 TOTAL $259,861 $ 253,244  General Fund – Fund Balance (in thousands): Comparison Fund Balance 2018 2017 Unassigned $61,827 $ 60,088 Committed 3,001 2,566 Assigned 14,396 13,448 Restricted 27,869 31,578 Non-spendable 113 142 TOTAL $107,206 $ 107,822  Environmental Management Fund (in thousands): Comparison Revenues & Expenditures (Modified Accrual Basis) 2018 2017 Revenues $15,112 $ 15,678 Expenditures (9,893) (10,024) (4,983) (4,186) Other Financing Uses Revenues over expenditures $236 $ 1,468 And other financing uses  Long-Term Obligations (in thousands): Comparison Debt 2018 2017 Landfill $13,901 $ 15,485 Claims 175 175 OPEB 321,436 89,499 Pensions 32,503 39,071 Compensated Absences 8,627 7,715 Premiums 25,610 26,813 Installments 74,082 74,798 GO Bonds 314,190 308,870 TOTAL $790,524 $ 562,426 NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 308 In summary, Ms. Adams stated that the County was issued clean opinions, there were no adjusted journal entries as a result of the audit, there are good internal controls, no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were identified, and there was full cooperation with management. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Barfield thanked Ms. Adams for the report and requested direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Kusek MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to approve the New Hanover County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. BREAK: Chairman Barfield called a break from 10:28 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. FISCAL YEAR 2019 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS By general consensus of the Board, Chairman Barfield stated that the Board accepts the report as presented in the agenda packet. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher stated in follow-up on the audit presentation in relation to the other post-employment benefits (OPEB), staff has taken steps to potentially decrease the liability. One step that has been taken is a person has been hired to perform an experience study which is where the person looks at all the assumptions that go into the calculation to make sure the best assumptions are being used. The other step is a consultant has been hired to help the County find ways and different ideas to use to help reduce the liability. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY Chief Financial Officer Wurtzbacher stated that the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority (LCFWSA) owns and operates a raw water main transmission that runs under Highway 421. The line delivers raw water to many customers including the CFPUA Sweeney plant, Brunswick County, Pender County, and several local industrial plants. During Hurricane Florence, a portion of Highway 421 was washed out due to flood waters and a portion of the line became exposed. The exposed portion is currently located where the Highway 421 bridge will be constructed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will begin a project to replace the road with a bridge over Fishing Creek to alleviate future flooding damage. The bridge approach section of this project will be placed over the LCFWSA raw water line. LCFWSA must relocate this line outside of the bridge approach section. Costs to undertake this project are currently estimated to be $2,006,438 and once started the project will take approximately ten and a half months to complete. LCFWSA has requested financial assistance from New Hanover County to complete this project. County staff is requesting the Board of Commissioners approve staff to negotiate and enter into an interlocal agreement that requires the following:  LCFWSA would be required to contribute $500,000 upfront to the project before the County would contribute any funds;  New Hanover County loan to LCFWSA up to $1,506,438 at a 2% interest rate for the completion of the project unless New Hanover County borrows funds in which case the interest rate would bear the same interest rate as New Hanover County receives;  Funds will be paid to LCFWSA on a reimbursement basis monthly after their $500,000 to the project has been expended;  LCFWSA repayment to begin in fiscal year 2021 at $390,000, fiscal year 2022 at $390,000, fiscal year 2023 remaining balance; and  Appropriations for the County's $1,506,438 will be included in its fiscal year 2020 recommended budget. In response Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated he does think this request has the potential to be precedent setting, but in a good and positive way. LCFWSA is not in a position to pay for this project in this case, but it is in a position to satisfy the loan obligations over 36 months and three fiscal years. What is critical about this project is that the exposure happened to the raw water feed effected not only Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, but other businesses along Highway 421. Staff believes because of the County’s capacity and some of the conditions with LCFWSA, that it makes sense to propose a partnership with them. LCFWSA is a critical feature to provide potable water to all of New Hanover County and a large number of businesses. Again, it could be precedent setting but clearly defined and it may require a future partnership with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority or some other public utility. In response to Board questions regarding the funding, County Manager Coudriet stated that the 25% contribution is LCFWSA’s contribution. The $500,000 is the cash LCFWSA can appropriate in first year and the County is loaning LCFWSA the $1,506,438. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Barfield requested direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner White MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to authorize staff to negotiate and enter into an interlocal agreement with Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 309 HURRICANE FLORENCE AFTER ACTION REPORT Chairman Barfield stated that due to time constraints the Board is requesting this agenda item to be tabled to the March 18, 2019 meeting and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to table the presentation of the Hurricane Florence After Action Report to the March 18, 2019 agenda. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointments to the New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority Chairman Barfield reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority with two applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Tara L. Lanier and Charles J. Whitley. Hearing no further nominations, Chairman Barfield called for a vote for the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Tara L. Lanier and Charles J. Whitley to the New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority to serve six-year terms with the terms to expire February 22, 2025. Appointments to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chairman Barfield reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council in the At-Large and Juvenile Defense Attorney categories with four applications available for consideration. Commissioner White nominated Wanda Marino in the At-Large category and Emily Jones in the Juvenile Defense Attorney 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 appoint to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Wanda Marino in the At-Large category to serve an unexpired term with the term to expire September 30, 2019 and to appoint Emily Jones in the Juvenile Defense Attorney category to serve a two-year term with the term to expire September 30, 2021. Appointment to the New Hanover County Non-County Agency Funding Committee Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Non-County Agency Funding Committee in the Public Safety/Judicial category with one application available for consideration and the Board is asked to consider changing the terms to expire in June instead of January. Chairman Barfield nominated Rosetta Royster for appointment in the Public Safety/Judicial category. Vice- Chairwoman Olson Boseman and Commissioner Kusek 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 appoint Rosetta Royster to the New Hanover County Non-County Agency Funding Committee in the in the Public Safety/Judicial category to serve a three-year term with the term to expire June 30, 2020 and to change the member terms to expire in June instead of January to be in alignment with the budget calendar. Appointment to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority in the Bed and Breakfast Owner/Manager category with one applicant eligible for reappointment. Chairman Barfield nominated Charles Pennington for reappointment in the Bed and Breakfast Owner/Manager 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 Charles Pennington to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority in the Bed and Breakfast Owner/Manager category to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2021. Appointment to the Wilmington/New Hanover Port, Waterway and Beach Commission Chairman Barfield reported that one vacancy exists on the Wilmington/New Hanover Port, Waterway and Beach Commission in the Commerce and Finance category with one applicant eligible for reappointment and one application available for consideration. Commissioner Kusek nominated Donald E. Harris for appointment in the Commerce and Finance category. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 310 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 appoint Donald E. Harris to the Wilmington/New Hanover Port, Waterway and Beach Commission in the Commerce and Finance category to serve a three-year term with the term to expire February 28, 2022. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Barfield reported that no one signed up to speak on non-agenda items. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated she knows the other Commissioners have met with staff regarding the Hurricane Florence recovery report. Although it is not being heard today, everyone is familiar with it and as the budget process moves forward, she knows the County gives the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Health Department almost $50 million a year. Her understanding is that the County does not have much accountability for that as far as the County Manager. She asked County Manager Coudriet when the new combined Health Department and DSS building will be ready. County Manager Coudriet responded that it will be ready in the upcoming fiscal year. His understanding is the construction should be largely complete with a certificate of occupancy by October of this year. The building will be completely occupied by next fiscal year with DSS moving in and then in the Spring of 2020 the Health Department will move in. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated that her understanding is that at least 35 other counties have combined health and human services departments. She asked that the County Manager bring forward during the budgeting process recommendations regarding if the Board should combine the two departments, how it should be combined, and what that would look like in the upcoming budget year. County Manager Coudriet stated that if it is the will of the Board, staff can prepare the information. Chairman Barfield asked that County Manager Coudriet also provide an update on what the County has done in the past. The County has looked previously at consolidating and the legislation started with him. He wanted managers’ offices to have more oversight over DSS and Health Departments, in particular. The NC Association of County Commissioners picked it up, moved forward with it and it became a statewide bill. In the end, this County looked at consolidation/collaboration between DSS and Health and groups working together. It did not work well and it was decided to leave things as is and not consolidate. The overview would be good as the County is moving forward with the new building, and as Commissioner Kusek was not on the board at the time. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman expressed her appreciation and stated that she is aware of what has occurred in the past. She would like to see more efficiency and is very committed to what she thinks should happen in the future, especially given what happened in Hurricane Florence. While she compliments the County in what it did, there are ways to improve and this topic should be included as part of the process as the Board works through the other recommendations of the Hurricane Florence aftermath. She believes, and thinks a majority of the Board will also believe, that combining the departments will be in the best interest. Commissioner White stated that County Manager Coudriet needs clear direction and needs three or more Commissioners to say this is what needs to be looked into. He further stated that even before he was a Commissioner, Chairman Barfield put a lot of work into this matter. The state then picked it up and authorized the counties to have three or four different approaches, if they wanted. Early on there were three or four counties where this was tried and maybe it worked well and maybe it did not. When this Board considered it four years ago, he was committed to the consolidation. After much discussion over those following months, he was convinced it was not the correct path. He thinks that was a mistake. Since then a number of other counties have consolidated with mixed results. He supports knowing about those results, what those counties are doing, the efficiencies, and the question about the vertically integrated model that applies to every other agency in the County, except for DSS and Health. That is the crux of the matter and the question, is it time to vertically integrate management of those entities. Not only for efficiencies, but more importantly for delivering government services better, quicker, easier, and in a more transparent way. He, being one vote, wholeheartedly supports it and thinks it wise to discuss it during the budget cycle. Commissioner Kusek asked County Manager Coudriet if this needs to be in a form of a motion. County Manager Coudriet responded that for the point the Chairman made, staff can bring forward a presentation on where the County is at this time and how it got here. He is not sure staff would ask for policy direction on that. However, to explore something other than the existing policy, which is functional collaboration, he thinks staff would want to have a directive of the Board to move forward with an analysis in the presentation. Commissioner Kusek stated that she would like to make the motion for an analysis to be done of what New Hanover County has done in the past, what other counties are doing, and what are the possibilities for this county in regards to consolidating the Department of Social Services and Health Department and for the information to be brought forward during the March 18, 2019 meeting. Commissioner Zapple stated that he is in support of the report being brought back up again and asked that County Manager Coudriet also include an update on the back office integration that has occurred. He knows that NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 PAGE 311 was one of the results the last time this was discussed. He would also like to see information on the efficiencies and the overlap of the two departments. Based on Board discussion, Chairman Barfield stated there is general consensus for County Manager Coudriet to bring this matter forward during the March 18, 2019 meeting. County Manager Coudriet reported that the Federal Emergency Management Department (FEMA) has authorized $9.5 million of reimbursement which will significantly help and benefit this year’s budget. This is approximately 40% of the actual cash out the door at this point. The check has not been received as of yet. Chairman Barfield reported that he recently attended the NCACC Board of Directors meeting, representing District 4. The main topic of conversation was the rebuilding of the Quorum Center and the Albert Coates building in Raleigh, which are two places where NCACC holds meetings. NCACC staff is proceeding with getting the buildings up and running as well as discussing the future of buildings and in particular, whether or not to sell the Albert Coates building. There were other matters discussed during the meeting such as an increase in association dues for the upcoming fiscal year for counties. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 10:55 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.