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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-04 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 405 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, 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 Derek Macleod, St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church, provided the invocation and Vice- Chairwoman Olson-Boseman 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 October 21, 2019. Adoption of State Road Resolution – Governing Body The Commissioners adopted the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Road Resolution in support of adding the following road to the state system:  Sapling Circle (remaining portion) located within the Meadowbrook (section 11) and Sun Coast Villas (section 8) subdivisions in New Hanover County (Division File No.: 1281-N) A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 36.1. Approval of Sale of County-Owned Property Located at 5155 S. College Road (PIN: R07600-002-028-000) Consistent with the Upset Bid Process – County Manager The property located at 5155 S. College Road is owned by New Hanover County and previously served as the location for the Myrtle Grove Library. The Commissioners accepted Primary Care Associates’ offer in the amount of $1,240,000, subject to the upset bid process; authorized staff to initiate and complete the upset bid process in accordance with NC General Statutes; and authorized the County Manager and the County Attorney to prepare and execute all necessary paperwork to transfer ownership to the highest bidder, at a minimum amount of $1,240,000. The property includes approximately 1.04 acres, the former library building which is approx. 6,810 square feet, and a small storage building that was built onsite. Since this property is no longer needed for library services, staff is requesting that the Board of Commissioners authorize the sale of this property. As part of the project budget ordinance for the Pine Valley Library, it was anticipated that the proceeds from the sale of this property would be used to offset a portion of the construction costs of the Pine Valley Library. In preparation for the sale of this property, the Board of Commissioners rezoned this property on April 1, 2019 from R-15, Residential District, to (CZD) B-2, Conditional Highway Business District. During the week of September 16, 2019, the property was advertised for sale, subject to the upset bid process. The minimum required bid was set at $1,200,000 with a bid due date/time of October 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. In response to the advertisement for sale, New Hanover County received one bid which was submitted by Primary Care Associates, in the amount of $1,240,000. Primary Care Associates has provided the required 5% deposit in the amount of $62,000. The tax value for this property is $1,027,100. Approval of the First Reading of a Solid Waste Franchise for Tropical Moves, LLC – County Attorney The Commissioners approved the first reading of a solid waste franchise to be granted to Tropical Moves, LLC. Pursuant to Section 44-55, the applicant has provided information about his business organization, equipment, personnel and fiscal responsibility. The Environmental Management Director and the Chief Financial Officer have no objections to the franchise request. The initial franchise period would run for seven years. A copy of the franchise agreement is available for review in the legal department. Approval of the Second Reading to Award a Solid Waste Franchise to ClearAway Waste Solutions, LLC – County Attorney The Commissioners approved the second reading to award a solid waste franchise to be granted to ClearAway Waste Solutions, LLC. Pursuant to Section 44.55, the applicant has provided information about his business organization, equipment, personnel and fiscal responsibility. The Environmental Management Director and the Chief Financial Officer have no objections to the franchise request. The initial franchise period would run for seven years. The first reading was approved unanimously on October 21, 2019. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 406 A copy of the franchise agreement is available for review in the legal department. Adoption of Diabetes Awareness Month Proclamation – Health and Human Services The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing November 2019 as Diabetes Awareness Month in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, 36.2. Adoption of Adoption Awareness Month Proclamation – Health and Human Services The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing November 2019 as Adoption Awareness Month in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, 36.3. Approval of September 2019 Tax Collection Report – Tax Department The Commissioners accepted the Tax Collection Reports of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Debt Service, and New Hanover County Fire District as of September 2019. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 36.4. 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, 2020:  Fire Services 20-016, 20-018 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLI, Page 36.5. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AN ADDITIONAL SOUTHBOUND EXIT LANE ON US-17 ONTO MARKET STREET IN PORTERS NECK Caitlyn Marks, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division 3 Planning Engineer, stated that NCDOT is considering the installation of an additional southbound exit lane on US-17 onto Market Street in Porters Neck and is requesting the Board adopt a resolution in support of the project. The purpose would be to reduce congestion by increasing capacity. The project cost is estimated to be $400,000 and this interchange is the exact same thing that is planned for the southern side of the interchange, which is the US-17 north side, but NCDOT currently does not have enough funds for that side of the intersection. NCDOT is able to try to accomplish this project because the cost is lower and it qualifies for the High Impact/Low Cost Program. The program was created in 2017 to provide funds to complete low cost projects with high impacts to the transportation system. NCDOT anticipates that $1.2 million will be given to every division for FY 2020. Projects appeared before the NCDOT Board of Transportation during the September 2019 meeting and were approved for funding once the cash balance is replenished. In response to Board questions, Ms. Marks believes the project was left out of the original plans by mistake and NCDOT is trying to fix it. As to funding, NCDOT Division 3 is on pause for the funding that was a part of House Bill 100, which did pass. The Division 3 office is currently trying to get all the needed approvals in place so once NCDOT in Raleigh says it can begin the work, the project will be able to move forward. She does not know when the NCDOT in Raleigh will provide the approval to move forward. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield asked for Board direction on the request. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to adopt the resolution of support for the installation of an additional southbound exit lane on US-17 onto Market Street in Porters Neck. 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, 36.6. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY NEW HANOVER COUNTY TO: A. AMEND ARTICLES II AND VI OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH NEW STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LARGE TREES (TA19-03); AND B. AMEND THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY FEE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE TREE MITIGATION FEES Chairman Barfield opened the public hearing and requested staff to make the presentation. Planning and Land Use Director Wayne Clark presented the request to amend Articles II and VI of the Zoning Ordinance to establish new standards for the protection of large trees and to amend the New Hanover County fee NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 407 schedule to include tree mitigation fees. Since the County Commissioners’ September meeting, the car wash development that is planned for the site of the former Islands Restaurant has been through the Zoning Board of Adjustment and was granted a number of variances which allowed the oak trees to be saved on the site. He then presented the following information regarding the request:  Summary of Amendments:  Prohibit specimen oak tree removal (36-inch+)  Clarify exemptions and variance process applicable to specimen oak tree removal  Provide staff flexibility in site development review to save large trees (City of Wilmington process)  Modify the fee schedule for mitigation and add penalties for removal without a permit  Zoning Code Section 23: Definitions:  Specimen tree: any Live Oak tree that is 36-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger  Diameter at breast height (DBH): the diameter or width of the main stem of a tree as measured 4.5 feet above the natural grade at its base. Whenever a branch, limb, defect, or abnormal swelling of the trunk occurs at this height, the diameter at breast height (DBH) shall be measured at the nearest point above or below 4.5 feet at which a normal diameter occurs.  Additional tree species and sizes may be considered as part of the ongoing Unified Development Ordinance project  Zoning Code Section 62: Landscaping:  Prohibit removal of specimen trees (Live Oaks 36-inch+ DBH)  Clarify that existing exemptions for tree removal also apply to specimen trees (airport operations, bona-fide farming, public safety, unhealthy, utilities, single-family lots)  Clarify that owners/agents can apply for a variance to remove specimen oak trees if they meet the relevant criteria (unnecessary hardship resulting from unique circumstances…)  Administrative Site Design Flexibility:  The City of Wilmington has utilized this flexibility since the early 2000s considered effective for saving trees including on the Ogden Publix site  Planning Director/Zoning Administrator may permit modified dimensional, parking and landscaping standards for the specific purpose of saving specimen (36-inch+ live oak) and significant trees (24-inch+ hardwood/conifer; 8-inch+ flowering)  Examples: foundation plantings, landscape islands, buffer/street yards and plantings, minimum parking, and building locations  Mitigation Fees for removal of regulated trees not replanted on site (mitigation = total inches removed x 2):  Mitigation Fee amount included in companion fee schedule change  Proposed fee of $200 per caliper inch required to be mitigated (current fee is $295 per 3- inches)  Fee based on current market pricing for Live Oak trees including installation as found in a survey of multiple local nurseries  Change the reference from the fee “set by the Parks Department” to the County fee schedule  Specimen Tree Removal Penalty:  Add a penalty for removing a specimen tree without a permit = double the mitigation fee:  Example Penalty Calculation:  Mitigation for 40-inch oak = 80-inches (40 x 2) replanted  Mitigation Fee = $16,000 (80 x $200)  Penalty = $32,000 ($16,000 x 2) Director Clark concluded the presentation stating that the Planning Board considered this matter during the October 3, 2019 meeting and recommended approval (6-0) finding that the proposed amendments to New Hanover County’s Zoning Ordinance are consistent with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the proposal will provide flexibility in site design to accommodate business success while protecting large Live Oak trees that are important to the character of the area. Approval of the proposed amendments is reasonable and in the public interest because it will encourage conservation and enhance the unique environment, character, and history of the County. In response to Board questions, Director Clark stated the tree size varies among cities on the east coast between 24-inches and 36-inches. In Charleston, it is 24-inches and there are a lot of variances while Hilton Head has a 36-inch measurement set. With 24-inches, there are more trees coming down and he is familiar with working with the 36-inch diameter in his prior job and there was one variance a year. The Charleston staff indicated to him that over a year, 75 trees were removed related to variances. He explained that the tree measurement is taken with a caliper device that is a u-shape. As to when it is known if someone cuts down trees without permission, Director Clark stated it will depend on where they are located on the site. Some can be seen but some will require people turning other people in. Usually a tree of this size, 36-inches, will leave some evidence as it is hard to remove the roots from the ground. It is usually obvious when a tree has been taken out because of the debris left behind and there are ways to measure if the trunk has been left in place. However, it does still require someone telling staff if it is deep in the property. In response to additional Board questions, Director Clark stated the recommendation provided to the Board prior to the September discussion is what was approved by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association, NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 408 Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE), and the Tree Coalition and what was the basis for the request being presented to the Board today. The groups agree, as does staff, it is not the end all to what will be done with plants as part of the code update. For a short term solution to save the large live oak trees, everyone came together and agreed on these amendments. He confirmed that currently there is nothing in the ordinance. Mitigation can be done, but the trees are allowed to be removed. Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Clark for his presentation and announced that one person has signed up to speak in favor and no one signed up in opposition, and invited the speaker to step forward. Cameron Moore, Executive Officer of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association, stated that we went from nothing to something and all support it. As it relates to the car wash on the former Islands Restaurant site, it took five variances to make the new building work on the site. Part of the issue is a code problem and is not necessarily all landscaping/tree problems. There will be effort to achieve being able to fix the code issue as the process moves forward with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield closed the public hearing and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner White, to approve the amendment, as the Board finds that this request as described is: 1) Consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because the proposal will provide flexibility in site design to accommodate business success while protecting large Live Oak trees that are important to the character of the area; and 2) Reasonable and in the public interest because it will encourage conservation and enhance the unique environment, character, and history of the County; and to approve the proposed amendment to the New Hanover County Fee Schedule FY19-20. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the text amendment amending the Zoning Ordinance is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, 36.7. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF THE TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST BY NEW HANOVER COUNTY TO AMEND THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE TO INCORPORATE UPDATED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP DATA AND AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COASTAL A SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA, AND TO AMEND SECTION 51 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS BUILDING HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN THE COASTAL A SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA (TA19-02) Chairman Barfield opened the public hearing and requested staff to make the presentation. Planning Manager Ken Vafier presented the request to amend the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to incorporate updated flood insurance rate map data and amend the requirements of the Coastal A Special Flood Hazard Area, and to amend Section 51 of the Zoning Ordinance to address building height requirements in the Coastal A Special Flood Hazard Area. The primary item addresses a requirement by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to adopt one Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel in the northwestern area of the County, shared by Pender and Brunswick counties. In addition, staff is proposing two text amendments, one to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) and one to the Zoning Ordinance, to clarify requirements on construction standards as well as building height in one of the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) called the Coastal A zone. Last summer the Board took action on an item to adopt updated FIRMs for the majority of New Hanover County. However, the County was subsequently informed that 18 panels in the northern portion of the County shared with Pender County was not effective on the official date of August 28, 2018. The reason that these were th not made effective on August 28 has to do with updated mapping and adoption protocols, as well as the timing of FEMA requirements that have to be met as flood studies move through the FEMA approval process. This updated mapping format, referred to as the statewide mapping format, develops new or revised flood studies by river basins as opposed to community boundaries, which means that some communities will share FIRM panels, and the panels do not become effective until all jurisdictions sharing the panels have been authorized to complete the local adoption process by FEMA. While there is a benefit to mapping accuracy utilizing the statewide format, it does lead to instances where a jurisdiction may have to adopt a number of FIRM panels separately. These 18 panels were held from becoming effective in New Hanover County despite the local adoption from last year, as Pender County had not been authorized to move forward with adoption of the panels in their jurisdiction. This was due in part to appeal resolution, government shutdowns, and other natural disasters that divert workload for both FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) staff. On June 6, 2019, County staff received a new Letter of Final Determination, authorizing the County to move forward with the adoption of one panel, panel 2291, in the northwestern portion of the County. Local adoption of this panel must be done by the local government by December 6, 2019 as required by FEMA, which is the conclusion of the compliance period, in order to ensure continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This panel, located in the northwest portion of the County, is located within the Cape Fear River Basin and is included within the panels which have been released to move forward with adoption at this time by FEMA. No structures within this map panel in the County’s jurisdiction are affected by the map change. The most notable change in the flood zone delineations in the County’s jurisdiction is the addition of a floodway designation along the channel of the Cape Fear River. The floodway is defined as the channel of a river or watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 409 surface elevation more than one foot. The Board is essentially “re-approving” this panel as required by FEMA due to the panels not being made effective last summer. The remaining FIRM panels, located in the NE Cape Fear River and Futch Creek watersheds, will be brought forward for adoption to become effective once authorized to move forward by FEMA. It is important note that although the remaining panels will not have an effective date of August 28, 2018, the panels are still subject to the 2007 data so they are eligible for insurance, assistance, and are being held to standards for construction in SFHAs. The second component to this item is a proposed amendment to the FDPO that will provide consistency with the current version of the NC State Building Code regarding construction requirements in the Coastal A zone. In January 2019, an amendment to the building code requiring that all construction in Coastal A Special Flood Hazard Areas meet V-zone construction standards was made effective. Currently, the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance only contains this requirement for non-residential construction, which was consistent with the building code requirements when this zone was incorporated in the flood ordinance in July 2018. Staff is proposing that construction requirements within the Coastal A zone be amended to apply to all construction in order to provide consistency with the 2019 NC Building Code. The third component of this is an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to address building height requirements in the primary single family residential districts, RA, R-20S, R-20, R-15, R-10, and R-7, which are now in the Coastal A zone. Currently, the Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum height of 44-feet for structures located within a Coastal High Hazard (or V-zone) flood zone or in the Ocean Hazard CAMA AEC. Outside of the V-zone or Ocean Hazard AEC the building height is limited to 35-feet in these districts. As both the current building code and proposed FDPO amendment will require all construction in a Coastal A zone to meet V-zone construction requirements, staff is proposing to amend the applicable sections in the Zoning Ordinance to allow an increase in height from 35-feet to 44-feet to provide a consistent height maximum where elevated piling construction is required. Mr. Vafier concluded the presentation stating the Planning Board considered this request at the October 3, 2019 meeting and recommended approval of the request (6-0), concluding that it is consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because it promotes environmentally responsible growth by identifying those areas most at risk for flooding impacts in the unincorporated county and provides for measures to mitigate the effects of flooding on development in those areas consistent with minimum NFIP requirements. In addition, the amendment will allow structures in the Coastal A Special Flood Hazard Areas to have the one- to three-story buildings recommended for single-family and multi-family residences across place types. The proposed amendment is reasonable and in the public interest because the proposal incorporates and codifies the most up to date Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Ordinance provisions, providing mitigation measures for those areas determined to be most at risk for flooding impacts in the unincorporated County. Additionally, adoption of the request ensures continued eligibility in the NFIP and provides consistency in the application of ordinance provisions for structures in SFHA. Chairman Barfield thanked Mr. Vafier for his presentation and announced that one person has signed up to speak in favor and no one signed up in opposition, and invited the speaker to step forward. Cameron Moore, Executive Officer of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association, stated that his organization has been working with County staff since this matter arose. The Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association supports what is being presented because it brings the County code into alignment with the North Carolina building code. The increase in height from 35-feet to 44-feet helps to reduce the number of roofs that are flat because those peel off pretty quick in a storm and this will allow for a good roof pitch. He expressed appreciation to staff on behalf of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association for their work. Hearing no further discussion, Chairman Barfield closed the public hearing and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman, to approve the amendment, as the Board finds that this request as described is: 1) Consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because it promotes environmentally responsible growth by identifying those areas most at risk for flooding impacts in the unincorporated county and provides for measures to mitigate the effects of flooding on development in those areas consistent with minimum NFIP requirements. In addition, the amendment will allow structures in the Coastal A Special Flood Hazard areas to have the one- to three-story buildings recommended for single-family and multi-family residences across place types; and 2) Reasonable and in the public interest because the proposal incorporates and codifies the most up-to-date Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Ordinance provisions, providing mitigation measures for those areas determined to be most at risk for flooding impacts in the unincorporated County. Additionally, adoption of the request ensures continued eligibility in the NFIP and provides consistency in the application of ordinance provisions for structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the text amendment amending the Zoning Ordinance is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLI, 36.8. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 410 PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Barfield reported that one person signed up to speak on non-agenda items and invited the speaker to step forward. Ricky Meeks, resident of Caswell Street, stated that as it relates to Wave Transit, he rides the buses and is a big supporter of public transportation. People use the public transportation system for a variety of reasons such as health reasons, laws, not enough money to share one or two cars and people can get around pretty good. He thinks the Board should meet with the Wilmington City Council and the Wave Board to discuss the issues. He thanked the Board for supporting Wave Transit over the years. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Commissioner Zapple asked that County Manager Coudriet schedule time at the next Board of Commissioners meeting to review and answer questions concerning the staff level financial summary of Wave Transit operations and agreements between Wave Transit and New Hanover County as prepared by the Chief Finance Officer. He also requested representatives from Wave Transit be invited to attend to provide any additional information that may come up as a result of conversations prompted by an examination of the County funding for bus routes. County Manager Coudriet stated that staff is prepared to do that and it will be on the next agenda. As a reminder to the Board, Chief Finance Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher sent to the Board about a week ago what was staff’s first attempt to answer some of the questions posed by the Board during the October 21, 2019 meeting. He is not aware of any feedback that's come, so he feels staff is largely in keeping with what the questions were that evening. The Wave staff will be contacted to ask them to appear at the next meeting. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman asked what the name of the study was that Wave had done. County Manager Coudriet responded that it was TransPro and was a study that the County and City of Wilmington funded. It was a financial analysis and a route efficiency/productivity review. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated she would like information about what Wave Transit has done in accordance with this setting included in the agenda item and what has it done to be more efficient besides asking the County for money. Commissioner White stated that if the Board is to be subjected to a one-sided version of what Wave Transit perceives the issues to be, he hopes the County Manager and staff will be presented an opportunity to remind people about the fund balance decisions the Board made five years ago, the half a million dollars for two budget cycles in a row to get them at eight percent or above when gas prices were 30% higher than they are today. He would like to know what happened to that money and where it went, because the expectation given, and it was not indirect, it was a direct expectation that they would maintain an eight percent fund balance and they have not. He, as well as everyone else, is familiar with the funding challenges they have such as the difficulties at the federal and state levels with relying on funding. That's a model that has been in place for their entire existence and they still cannot seem to manage those fluctuations in a way that maintains the fund balance. If we're going to talk about that or if some will talk about it and present evidence, he certainly thinks the community needs to understand what the County has tried to do to prop it up, and he hopes some of that will be included. Chairman Barfield stated he is looking forward to the discussion. He knows there is a bigger challenge right now in that this County continues to urbanize. He thinks it was approximately a half a million dollars that was given from the state and then cut from the budget. The challenge is how to make up that $500,000. He knows the City of Wilmington is providing resources to help. There's a recent ask of $57,000 from Wave Transit of the County to help. As to how long that will help keep Wave Transit moving forward, County Manager Coudriet stated that Ms. Wurtzbacher and he are scheduled to meet with Mr. Eby tomorrow, but as he reads the request, the $57,000 coupled with other partners potentially funding, would move through the end of the fiscal year. He is not yet clear on what services of the six or so routes that were proposed back in October would still be necessary to reduce if each partner comes forward with additional assistance. That will be part of the discussion and he does believe there is some offsetting of the proposal for cuts. He also confirmed that Wave Transit is putting out information about potentially reducing some routes now for cutting back time to stopping service at 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and possibly the same on weekdays. He believes there were six overall reductions that had been proposed. The communication from Wave Transit at the end of last week would suggest, and again he is waiting for the confirmation, that the service reduction would be reduced not in terms of the routes themselves but the frequency on Monday through Friday stopping service earlier, stopping service earlier on Saturday, and maintaining service on Sunday. Chairman Barfield asked County Manager Coudriet if it was correct that decision is not a result of the decision for the County to separate from Wave Transit, but rather it has to do with the half million-dollar deficit. County Manager Coudriet confirmed that was correct and he thinks the reductions have been properly noticed and st were not a result of this Board's discussion on October 21. Those reductions were already being proposed. If the Board approves the funding request of $57,000 and depending on what the City of Wilmington does, he will let the Board know what service will be maintained the way it is. Staff should know before the next Board meeting as he feels tomorrow’s meeting with Wave will provide clarity around what the scale of proposed reductions is in light of the supplemental asks that have come forward. Chairman Barfield stated that he definitely wants insight into the route to the Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) north campus because if routes are not going to be affected during the week, we are okay with that one. However, if they are going to be cut short at 6:00 p.m., his question is what NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 34 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 411 happens if there are classes offered at the CFCC north campus past 6:00 p.m. County Manager Coudriet stated staff will determine that. Vice-Chairwoman Olson-Boseman stated the purpose of bringing this matter forward was having a discussion about the entire situation with transportation, not just Wave Transit. She knows for a fact that the New Hanover County Board of Education Chair Lisa Estep has called one of the Wave Transit board members and asked if there was some way to work together because the school system has a shortage of bus drivers. She never got a reply. She does not know who is in charge of the strategy on that, but there has to be ways to do things better. It is not about just cutting funding to Wave Transit or figuring out how to keep running this archaic system. When this started, there were no services like Uber and Lyft. She would like to know if there is something that can be done with those two services for more transportation at the Senior Center and if something different can be done. For her, she supports public transportation, she rode the bus last week, and understands the need for it but there is a need to think about doing something different. It is always about money or cuts, and she wants everyone to start thinking outside the box. Chairman Barfield stated he appreciates the conversation about the School Board situation. He has brokered several meetings with the bus drivers at the school system with the County team and school board leadership. He thinks the school system has a breakdown in how to take care of their people and is why they are challenged getting quality bus drivers and not taking care of the senior people there. He has met with their union representatives on a number of occasions to talk through the School Board's challenges as they are continuing to try to hire bus drivers. In this economy when wages are increasing and you do not take care of your people properly, you start having a people problem. He has reached out to the person in charge of the school system’s transportation and until they can rectify that problem, they will continue to have the problem. It’s about taking care of the people and it is the school system’s situation and problem, not the County’s problem. It is their problem and that of the leadership at the School Board. Chairman Barfield thanked North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and WECT for hosting a conversation around the opioid epidemic. It was a good, serious roundtable discussion about the epidemic and it was great to see fellow Commissioners at the event. He has come to understand there is really a shortage of services in this community. While it is thought this is a rich county, it is very poor when it comes to services for those that have either mental health challenges or substance use disorders. He is thankful the County is building the two 200-bed ‑ facilities that were needed ten years ago. We are truly challenged with providing the citizens the resources that are needed that can help people longterm. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.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.